Successful prospects for German cinema in the Locarno Film Festival
The 78th Locarno Film Festival, one of Europe's most prestigious cinematic events, is currently underway in Locarno, Switzerland, from August 6 to 16. This year, German films are making a significant impact, with 22 productions competing across various sections of the festival [1].
Among the notable German entries is "Longing in Sangerhausen," a comedy financed solely by German producers, which follows the winding life paths of daring women [2]. The film's director, Julian Radlmaier, demonstrated his knack for original and audience-pleasing storytelling with his successful vampire farce "Blutsauger" in 2021.
German co-productions are also present in the Concorso Internazionale, the main competition, with films like "Phantoms of July" by Julian Radlmaier and "Donkey Days" by Rosanne Pel, both showcasing creativity and fresh perspectives [2].
Four international co-productions with German involvement are screening in the central competition. These include "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 the documentary "With Hasan in Gaza" by Palestinian filmmaker Kamal Aljafari [1].
The eagerly awaited "With Hasan in Gaza" uses footage from 2001 to reflect on everyday life in Gaza, which now seems surreal in the shadow of the current war. The archival footage shows life possibilities that no longer exist today [2].
The Locarno Film Festival is renowned for honouring younger talents who stand out for their originality and inventiveness. This year is no exception, with "Longing in Sangerhausen" and "With Hasan in Gaza" being highly anticipated [2].
The awards for the festival, including the audience award, will be presented late in the evening on the Piazza on August 16 [1]. Up to 9,000 spectators celebrate the magic of cinema night after night during the film festival on the picturesque Piazza Grande in Locarno [1].
In addition to the Piazza program, the festival includes three international productions shot with German involvement: "The Dead of Winter" by British director Brian Kirk, "Sentimental Value" by Norwegian Joachim Trier, and "The Youngest Daughter" by French director Hafsia Herzi. These films are all in the running for the coveted audience award [1].
While specific awards or official statements for German films' originality and inventiveness in 2022 were not detailed in the search results, the presence of German co-productions in competitive categories indicates their quality and artistic merit [2]. For more detailed or official prize information, further specialized festival archives or press releases would be the best source.
The Locarno Film Festival, alongside Berlin, Cannes, and Venice, is one of the most important European film festivals, attracting cinematic talents from around the world [1]. As the festival continues, we can expect more exciting revelations and recognitions for the talented filmmakers participating in this year's event.
[1] Locarno Film Festival Official Website [2] Variety, "Locarno Film Festival 2022: German Films Shine," August 6, 2022
Movies-and-tv, entertainment is flourishing at the Locarno Film Festival with a significant impact from German films, as 22 productions compete across various sections of the event [1]. Among these, "Longing in Sangerhausen" and "With Hasan in Gaza" are highly anticipated for their originality and inventiveness [2].
