The Locarno Film Festival, often celebrated as the "World Capital of Auteur Cinema," is a filmic festivity that knows no borders. As the 77th edition nears, we explore the captivating realm of Locarno, a place where creativity, ardor, and revolutionary thought merge.
The Locarno Film Festival emerged from the shadows of the Second World War, providing a platform for rejuvenation, artistic freedom, and expression. It became a haven for global talents keen on narrating stories in novel and diverse manners. From its beginning, Locarno has hosted the boldest, most avant-garde, irreverent, and innovative cinema, showcasing films in their raw, unedited form.
Austrian director Jessica Hausner will preside over the Jury that bestows the Pardo d’Oro to filmmakers in the Concorso Internazionale (International Competition). Joining her will be Italian actor Luca Marinelli (known for Martin Eden, The Eight Mountains, and the anticipated TV series M. Il figlio del secolo), Indian director Payal Kapadia – whose film All We Imagine as Light (2024) secured the Grand Prix at Cannes recently – prominent Belgian producer Diana Elbaum (acclaimed for Elle, Green Border), and US actor, writer, director, and producer Tim Blake Nelson, a frequent collaborator of the Coen brothers, who also features in Vincent Grashaw’s Bang Bang (2024), debuting in Fuori Concorso (Out of Competition).
Cinema plays a crucial yet understated role in altering perceptions of the climate crisis. The Pardo Verde, backed by the Ente Regionale per lo Sviluppo del Locarnese e Vallemaggia, honors films that foster awareness and prompt decisive action, challenging entrenched views. The Pardo Verde Jury includes Swiss-Rwandan artist, writer, and director Kantarama Gahigiri, French programmer and critic Cédric Succivalli, and Swiss sustainability consultant, journalist, and cultural manager Daniel Wiener.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a classic science fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 1982. The heartwarming tale follows a young boy named Elliott, who befriends a stranded alien named E.T. The extraterrestrial visitor is left behind on Earth and seeks a way to return to his home planet. As Elliott and E.T. form a unique bond, they navigate a world filled with dangers and government agents. The film captures the essence of friendship and adventure, resonating with audiences for decades.
Together Again is a delightful 1944 comedy film directed by Charles Vidor. Starring Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer, the movie revolves around Anne Crandall, who becomes the mayor of Brookhaven, Vermont, after her husband’s passing. She takes her mayoral duties seriously, but her father-in-law worries about her health and social life. When Anne commissions a new statue of her late husband from sculptor George Corday in New York City, her life takes an unexpected turn. The film combines romance, humor, and mistaken identities, making it a charming watch.
Le Déluge, 2024, directed by Gianluca Jodice, follows the last days of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette before they were executed. The film provides a poignant glimpse into the lives of the French monarchs during their imprisonment in a black castle on the outskirts of Paris, awaiting their fate. Guillaume Canet portrays Louis XVI, while Mélanie Laurent embodies Marie-Antoinette. Aurore Broutin and Hugo Dillon also feature in this historical drama.
Raíz, 2024, is a short documentary film created by director Raydrick Feliciana. The title means “Roots” in Papiamento, the island language of Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire. The film is crafted from historical archives and home movies of an Aruban family who had to leave the island in search of work during the 1980s. Raised as a third-culture child, the filmmaker reflects on ideas of belonging and home through long-distance calls with his family.
Annually, the Locarno Film Festival honors individuals who are shaping the history of cinema, recognizing them as emblems of the dialogue between the films of the past and those of the present.