Rifan Muazin
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) has long transcended its roots as a regional Czech cultural event, cementing its status as a vital nexus for global cinema. As the festival celebrates its 60th edition during its 80th year of existence, the picturesque spa town has once again transformed into a vibrant, polyglot hub where the cinematic arts serve as a universal language. Yet, in the real-world interactions between international filmmakers and local audiences, that universal language often requires a very human bridge.
Artistic director Karel Och recently unveiled a program featuring nearly 40 titles, noting the "extraordinary geographical diversity" of the selection. This year’s lineup—which includes the unique inclusion of cinema from Myanmar and Colombia in the Crystal Globe competition—pays homage to the vision of founding programmer A. M. Brousil, who famously prioritized undiscovered non-European voices. But for these voices to resonate within the historic walls of the Thermal Hotel or the grand halls of Karlovy Vary, a specialized cohort of professionals must stand in the shadows—and often in the spotlight—to facilitate the exchange. Chief among them is Helena Koutná, a veteran interpreter whose presence on stage has become as iconic to the festival experience as the red carpet itself.
The Evolution of an Art Form: From Booths to Stages
To understand the complexity of KVIFF, one must look back at its logistical evolution. Helena Koutná’s journey with the festival began in 1997, a time when the infrastructure of translation was fundamentally different. "Back in 1997, there was a large team of interpreters mainly because, with some exceptions, films were not screened with subtitles," Koutná recalls.
In those early days, the festival relied on interpreting booths tucked away in the back of cinemas. Attendees relied on headphones to receive simultaneous translations in a variety of languages—French, German, Spanish, Russian, and English—provided by a massive team of up to 30 professionals. It was an era of intense preparation, where screeners and scripts were rare commodities and the pressure to perform in real-time was immense.
As technology advanced and digital subtitling became the industry standard, the role of the interpreter shifted from a behind-the-scenes necessity to a public-facing performance art. Today, a streamlined team of approximately eight experts handles the high-stakes world of introductions, post-screening Q&As, and press conferences. For Koutná, this transition has not diminished the challenge; it has simply changed the focus. She is now the public face of communication, bridging the gap between global superstars like Dustin Hoffman and Jesse Eisenberg and the eager, inquisitive Czech audience.
The "Guru" of Interpretation: Technique and Temperament
Observers often marvel at Koutná’s ability to maintain a calm, smiling demeanor while juggling the rapid-fire delivery of a director or the nuanced anecdotes of a Hollywood actor. When asked if there is a "secret sauce" to her success, Koutná demurs, pointing instead to the rigorous, disciplined training of the professional interpreter.
"There is no magic or tricks, just some techniques all interpreters learn," she explains. The two pillars of her craft are simultaneous and consecutive interpreting. The former is a high-speed endurance test, requiring the interpreter to listen and speak at once. The latter, often used in intimate Q&A settings, relies on a sophisticated system of note-taking.
"Note-taking involves symbols, pictograms, and abbreviations," Koutná notes. "For a film festival, ‘F’ naturally stands for ‘film,’ a heart might indicate something positive, and a star represents the launch of a project. The goal is to capture the ‘story’ of the speaker’s thoughts, including figures and key terminology, so that the message remains intact even after a long, rambling answer."
A Life Dedicated to Cross-Cultural Communication
Koutná’s expertise is not confined to the festival circuit. Her career is a testament to the versatility required of a top-tier linguist. When the Karlovy Vary lights dim, she remains a fixture in the world of high-level communication. She works with the European Union’s institutions—the Council, the Commission, the European Parliament, and the European Court of Justice—specializing in the dense, high-pressure world of legal negotiations and arbitration.
Additionally, she is a regular voice for the Oscars on Czech television and a staple at the Czech Lion Awards. Her academic foundation, rooted in a five-year master’s program at Charles University in Prague, bridged the divide between the socialist era of Czechoslovakia and the post-1989 opening of the world. This background, she believes, is why she maintains a deep appreciation for the "local sounds, flavors, and smells" of the cultures she encounters through her work.
The Human Element: Stars, Stories, and Professionalism
Over nearly three decades, Koutná has shared the stage with an extraordinary list of luminaries: Susan Sarandon, Barry Levinson, Alexander Payne, Antonio Banderas, and Johnny Depp, to name a few. Her perspective on these encounters is refreshingly grounded. "The stars I have had the opportunity to encounter are highly accomplished professionals," she says. "They are hard-working, modest, and humble. Their life mission is to use their trade as a channel to make the world richer… and they are able to appreciate and respect the work of other professionals, which extends to interpreters."
She recalls a particularly meaningful Q&A with Susan Sarandon for Thelma & Louise—a film Koutná had previously translated for subtitles. These moments of professional intersectionality highlight why she considers festival interpreting a "discipline by itself." It requires more than just vocabulary; it requires an emotional intelligence capable of conveying tone, humor, and subtext.
The Looming Horizon: AI and the Future of Interpretation
In the current media landscape, the discussion inevitably turns to Artificial Intelligence. When asked if she fears for her profession, Koutná offers a balanced, nuanced take. While acknowledging that AI is an astonishing development capable of handling basic translations, she remains skeptical of its ability to replace the human interpreter.
"Interpreting is yet another story," she argues. "It needs to take into account cultural nuances, context, and references which are often merely hinted at. Accents are a particularly hard nut to crack for AI." She notes that while AI might find a place in low-stakes, automated environments, the human element—the ability to read the room, adapt to shifting moods, and provide security in high-stakes settings—remains an irreplaceable asset.
Implications: The Enduring Value of the Human Bridge
As KVIFF 2026 continues through July 11, the presence of interpreters like Koutná serves as a reminder that globalization is not merely a digital phenomenon; it is an intensely human one. The festival’s ability to connect a filmmaker from Myanmar with an audience in the Czech Republic relies on the willingness of both parties to engage in a shared, translated experience.
Koutná’s advice to event organizers is a lesson in the value of preparation. "Included in the package an interpreter offers is the benefit of their past experience," she says. "The reason for our questions and requests for information is a wish to provide a good service and to make sure that communication is relaxed, smooth, and efficient."
Ultimately, the role of the interpreter is to disappear into the message they are conveying, yet their presence is what allows the message to exist at all. As Karlovy Vary marks its 60th anniversary, it is clear that while the films may change and the technology may evolve, the need for the human voice—warm, accurate, and ready to bridge any distance—remains the beating heart of the festival.
Nila Kartika Wati
Raul Delapena Setiawan
