Sho Miyake's 'Two Seasons, Two Strangers' won the top prize at the 78th Locarno Film Festival, earning the Golden Leopard, while Elsa Kramer and Levin Peter's 'White Snail' received a special jury prize. The festival celebrated diverse international films, with awards also given for best director, performances, and emerging talent.
Emma Thompson received the Leopard Club Award at the Locarno Film Festival and delivered her acceptance speech entirely in Italian, expressing her admiration for the festival, her daughter, and her love for Italy, while also highlighting her ongoing passion for filmmaking. The event was attended by over 7,000 people and celebrated her illustrious career and recent work.
Jackie Chan reenacted his role from Bruce Lee's 'Enter the Dragon' at the Locarno Film Festival, sharing stories from his career, his beginnings as a stuntman, and his efforts to make coherent, high-quality films. He received the festival's career achievement award and reflected on his journey from martial arts to international stardom, emphasizing the importance of script and authenticity in filmmaking.
Jackie Chan received the Career Leopard award at the 78th Locarno Film Festival, where he was celebrated for his 64-year film career, his martial arts skills, and his influence on Asian and Hollywood cinema. He expressed his happiness, gratitude, and a wish for love and peace, delighting fans with his presence and speeches.
Emma Thompson recounted at the Locarno Film Festival how Donald Trump called her during the filming of Primary Colors, mistakenly thinking she was a suitable date for him, which she described as stalking, and reflected humorously on how she could have changed history if she had gone on a date with him.
Emma Thompson recounted an incident from the 1990s where Donald Trump called her and invited her to dinner shortly after her divorce from Kenneth Branagh, which she described as stalking, highlighting an unusual encounter with the former US president.
Emma Thompson recounted an anecdote at the Locarno Film Festival where she revealed Donald Trump once asked her out on a date in the 1990s, but she never responded, joking about how it could have changed history.
The 78th Locarno International Film Festival announced its lineup, featuring the world premiere of Radu Jude's 'Dracula' with participation from David Lynch, and the debut of 'Legend of the Happy Worker' executive produced by Lynch. The festival will showcase 221 films, including new works from renowned directors and classics, emphasizing contemporary, daring cinema that reflects current global realities.
The Locarno Film Festival announced its lineup featuring notable directors like Radu Jude, Abdellatif Kechiche, and Ben Rivers competing for the Golden Leopard, with a mix of world premieres, international competition films, and special screenings, emphasizing cinematic experimentation and diverse storytelling.
Ali Ahmadzadeh's film "Critical Zone" wins the top Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival, despite Iranian authorities pressuring the director to withdraw it. The film, set in Tehran, is described as a "hymn to freedom and resistance." Iranian cinema also celebrates with "Shayda" chosen as the closing film. Radu Jude receives the Special Jury Prize for "Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World," and Maryna Vroda is named Best Director for "Stepne." Gender-neutral acting awards are introduced, and environmental activists stage a protest during the festival.
Riz Ahmed and Molly Gordon will not be attending the Locarno Film Festival due to the ongoing actors strike. Ahmed's world premiere of "Dammi" will still take place as planned, while Gordon will not be present for the screening of "Theater Camp." Stellan Skarsgård will also forgo an award in solidarity with the strike. The festival expressed support for the strike and acknowledged the challenges faced by individuals in the film industry. Locarno is the first major European film festival to be affected by the strike.