K A R L O V Y VA RY

I N T E R N AT I O N A L FILM FESTIVAL

Dear Mr. Quentin Tarantino,

The 46th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival will take place on 1-9 July.
This year the festival programme will also include a Tribute to Samuel Fuller, a
series of screenings which aims to acquaint Czech and foreign audiences with
the life and work of this remarkable filmmaker.

Our decision to profile Samuel Fuller is not based merely on his unique and
inspirational endeavours as a screenwriter and director – the French New Wave
directors claimed Samuel Fuller as a major influence, and he became an
example to a number of contemporary world filmmakers.

The connections between this artist and the Czech environment go much deeper.
During the Second World War, Samuel Fuller was assigned to the 16th Infantry
Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, of the United States army, which played a key
role in the liberation of Europe; Fuller, himself, was awarded the Bronze Star,
Silver Star and Purple Heart for his service. During the liberation mission in
1945, the objective of Fuller’s division was, in fact, the town of Karlovy Vary. In
the event, circumstances prevented the foot soldiers from reaching their planned
destination and the unit ended their journey in nearby Sokolov - Falkenau. The
Tribute to Samuel Fuller is therefore also seen as a symbolic return to places he
was never able to see in active service more than sixty-five years ago.

The dramatic events which unfolded as the war drew to a close are also linked
with Samuel Fuller’s early film work. His first film captured the tragic burial of
victims from the concentration camp and military hospital located on the
outskirts of Sokolov - Falkenau.
His whole life, Samuel Fuller was proud to have been a member of the infantry
and this sentiment is reflected in a number of his works, today regarded as cult
films.

A commemorative plaque honouring the victorious American army is currently

situated in the Old Square (Staré náměstí) in Sokolov - Falkenau. As part of the
Tribute to Samuel Fuller featured during its 46th edition, the Karlovy Vary
International Film Festival would like to initiate the placement and unveiling of
a new plaque which would commemorate more specifically the soldiers of the
16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, and particularly Samuel Fuller,
who took part in the liberation of the Sokolov - Falkenau region in 1945. Given
the dates of the festival, we feel the most appropriate day for the unveiling of the
commemorative plaque is July 4, 2011, when the United States celebrates
Film Servis Festival Karlovy Vary, Panská 1, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic, www.kviff.com
Tel: +420 221 411 011, 221 411 022, Fax: +420 221 411 033
festival@kviff.com, production@kviff.com, program@kviff.com, industry@kviff.com, press@kviff.com,
gservice@kviff.com
 K A R L O V Y VA RY

I N T E R N AT I O N A L FILM FESTIVAL

Independence Day. We are convinced that an event like this would be welcomed
both by the inhabitants of the region, and by Czech and foreign guests at the
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

We hope that you will support this initiative and that, together, we will be able to
pay due homage to all those who showed great courage during the liberation of
Czechoslovakia.

Jiří Bartoška
President

Film Servis Festival Karlovy Vary, Panská 1, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic, www.kviff.com
Tel.: +420 221 411 011, Fax: +420 221 411 033, festival@kviff.com