German manufacturing holds top spot
Top Favorites Vie for Golden Leopard at Locarno Film Festival
The 78th Locarno Film Festival, one of Europe's most prestigious cinema events alongside Berlin, Cannes, and Venice, has seen a strong showing from German cinema. Out of a total of 222 films, ten percent are co-produced by German filmmakers, with several of these contenders vying for the Golden Leopard award.
Emma Thompson, a world-renowned actress known for her roles in films like "Harry Potter" and "Me Before You", received an honorary award at the festival for her role in a thriller. Thompson's performance in the film proves that women can move mountains with sharp minds and full-body commitment even beyond the age of 60.
The German film "Longing in Sangerhausen", produced exclusively by German producers, opened the international competition of the festival. However, it is not mentioned as a top favorite for any remaining awards.
One of the top favorites for the Golden Leopard is "Two Seasons, Two Strangers" by Sho Miyake, a film that ultimately won the festival's top prize. This Japanese film tells a compelling story that captivated the festival audience.
Another top favorite is "The Lake (Le Lac)" by Fabrice Aragno, a Swiss drama that centers on a couple passionately engaging in a sailing race lasting several days and nights on a large lake. It had its world premiere at Locarno and was nominated for the Golden Leopard, winning the Junior Jury Award.
"The Seasons", a multinational European production with dialogue in Portuguese and German, is also in contention for the Golden Leopard. This documentary film explores themes suitable for documentary storytelling, premiering at the festival.
Yakushima’s Illusion by Naomi Kawase, a film starring Vicky Krieps, is another contender for the Golden Leopard. Added late to the competition roster, this film has also gained significant attention.
Le Bambine by Valentina and Nicole Bertani, an Italian co-production with Swiss involvement, is another film competing for the main prize.
While a full list of all 18 competing films is not covered here, these were among the most prominent or mentioned contenders. The winning film, Two Seasons, Two Strangers, by Sho Miyake, is noted as the Golden Leopard recipient.
The festival also featured a tribute to Lucy Liu and her film Rosemead, but this does not appear to compete for the Golden Leopard.
On Saturday evening, the Golden Leopard for lifetime achievement was awarded to action actor Jackie Chan. The awards will be presented on the evening of August 16th during a gala on the Piazza Grande in Locarno. Such a strong numerical presence of a nation at a festival of this significance is an accolade in itself.
Julian Radlmaier, author and director of "Longing in Sangerhausen", tells a suggestive story of young women searching for their identity. Besides "Longing in Sangerhausen," four international co-productions with German involvement are competing: "Dry Leaf," "Donkey Days," "White Snail," and "With Hasan in Gaza." The latter is a documentary by Palestinian filmmaker Kamal Aljafari that shows scenes of life in Gaza in 2001, depicting a lifestyle that no longer exists. "White Snail," a film by the Austrian-German directing duo Elsa Kremser and Levin Peter, is currently a top favorite for the Golden Leopard award.
In summary, the top favorites included these films noted for competition and recognition, highlighting diverse storytelling from intense drama in The Lake to documentary exploration in The Seasons, and the eventual winner Two Seasons, Two Strangers.
Movies-and-tv and entertainment were prominent during the 78th Locarno Film Festival, with several films vying for the Golden Leopard award. "White Snail," a film by the Austrian-German directing duo Elsa Kremser and Levin Peter, is a top contender in the entertainment category.
The festival showcased a diverse range of storytelling, including "White Snail," which is being recognized for its compelling narrative, further highlighting the connection between movies-and-tv and entertainment.
