German production holds top spot in user preferences
The 78th Locarno Film Festival, held in the picturesque town of Locarno, Switzerland, concluded on the evening of August 16th with a gala on the Piazza Grande. The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Golden Leopard award, the festival's top honour. This year, the award was shared between two films: "White Snail" by Elsa Kremser and Levin Peter, and "Longing in Sangerhausen". However, it was Sho Miyake's Japanese film "Tabi to Hibi" ("Two Seasons, Two Strangers") that emerged as the eventual winner.
"Tabi to Hibi" tells the story of a playwright experiencing writer's block who finds a fresh perspective on life through a chance encounter during a trip. The film stars South Korean actress Shim Eun-kyung and Japanese actors Shinichi Tsutsumi and Yumi Kawai. This win marks a significant moment as it was the first time since 2007 that a Japanese film received the Golden Leopard.
"White Snail" was met with great applause at the festival, winning the Special Jury Prize and acting awards for its tender depiction of human vulnerability in a post-Soviet Belarusian setting. The film's approach eschewed morbid themes in favour of exploring deep human connections through improvised performances.
Other notable works recognised at the festival included "God Will Not Help" by Hana Jusić, a drama about Croatian emigration to Chile, which was awarded for the best performance shared by lead actresses Manuela Martelli and Ana Marija Veselcic.
The festival also honoured Emma Thompson with the Leopard Club Award for her career, highlighting the event's reputation for recognising both emerging and established talent. There was also a tribute to Lucy Liu, who premiered her intimate drama "Rosemead" at Locarno, reflecting the festival's blend of new voices and celebrated artists.
The 78th Locarno Film Festival's international competition was opened by the German film "Longing in Sangerhausen". This film, along with four international co-productions with German involvement - "Dry Leaf", "Donkey Days", "White Snail", and "With Hasan in Gaza" - were among the favourites due to their sensitive storytelling, strong performances, and distinct cultural perspectives.
Emma Thompson, known for her roles in "Harry Potter" and "Me and Leo", starred in a thriller that balanced between black humor, bloody action, and heartache. The US-German co-production "The Dead of Winter" has particularly stood out in the festival's open-air screenings.
It is currently not possible to predict which films will be honored with prizes at the 78th Locarno Film Festival. As the curtain falls on another successful edition, film enthusiasts eagerly await the announcements of the winners and the next chapter in the festival's rich history.
Movies-and-tv served as a platform for diverse narratives, with "Tabi to Hibi" from Japan and "White Snail" from Belarus emerging as contenders in the entertainment industry. The 78th Locarno Film Festival recognized these productions, demonstrating its commitment to showcasing both established and emerging talent.
