Prospective outlook for German cinema in Locarno film festival
The picturesque town of Locarno, Switzerland, played host to one of Europe's most significant film festivals from August 6 to 16. The Locarno Film Festival, a prestigious event alongside Berlin, Cannes, and Venice, showcased a diverse array of films, including several German and co-produced projects.
In the central competition for the Golden Leopard, five productions with German involvement were invited. Among them was "Longing in Sangerhausen," a comedy financed exclusively by German producers, marking the directorial debut of Julian Radlmaier. Radlmaier, who gained recognition for his artistically original and audience-pleasing storytelling with the successful vampire farce "Bloodsuckers" in 2021, presents "Longing in Sangerhausen," a film that follows the winding life paths of daring women.
Four other international co-productions involving Germany were screening in the central competition. These included "Dry Leaf" by Georgian director Alexandre Koberidze, "Donkey Days" by Dutch director Rosanne Pel, "White Snail" by Austrian-German directing duo Elsa Kremser and Levin Peter, and "With Hasan in Gaza" by Palestinian filmmaker Kamal Aljafari.
"With Hasan in Gaza," a documentary, uses archival footage from 2001 to reflect everyday life in Gaza, which now seems surreal given the current war. The film offers a poignant glimpse into life possibilities that no longer exist today.
The awards ceremony for the 2022 Locarno Film Festival will take place on the Piazza Grande late in the evening of August 16th. In addition to the coveted Golden Leopard, the festival also honours younger talents who stand out for their originality and creativity. Out of the 222 short, feature, documentary, and experimental films in various competitions and sections at the festival, 22 are German or co-productions involving Germany.
Three international productions with German involvement are part of the Piazza program. These include "The Dead of Winter" by Brian Kirk, "Sentimental Value" by Joachim Trier, and "The Youngest Daughter" by Hafsia Herzi. The release date for "Look into the Sun," another German feature film that won one of the most important awards at the Cannes Film Festival in May, is set for September 11.
Honourary awards will be given to actors Golshifteh Farahani, Emma Thompson, Lucy Liu, and Jackie Chan during the festival. The 78th Locarno Film Festival was held in the holiday resort on the Swiss shores of Lake Maggiore.
While a detailed list of German and co-produced films in competition for the Golden Leopard at the 2022 Locarno Film Festival is not readily available, the official Locarno Film Festival archives or a specialized database like IMDb or festival press releases for 2022 would be the best direct sources for a precise list.
The evening open-air galas with films outside all competitions will take place on the picturesque Piazza Grande in Locarno. These films are all in the running for the coveted audience award. The Locarno Film Festival continues to be a vibrant celebration of international cinema, showcasing both established and emerging talents.
Movies-and-tv entertainment took center stage at the Locarno Film Festival, with several German and co-produced projects, such as "Longing in Sangerhausen" and "With Hasan in Gaza," being showcased. Among the awards to be handed out during the festival are honours for younger talents who have demonstrated originality and creativity in their work, with many of these talents hailing from the movies-and-tv industry.
