The hype is actual: Ali Ahmadzadeh’s “Critical Zone” (“Mantagheye bohrani”) has picked up the highest Golden Leopard at Locarno.
It has been a bumpy journey for the movie, set in Tehran over the course of 1 lonely night time and described by the fest as “a hymn to freedom and resistance.”
As reported by Variety, Iranian authorities have been pressuring Ahmadzadeh to tug it from the Swiss competition – arguing it was shot with out permission – and with the director himself banned from leaving the nation.
“Instead of actors, I labored with actual folks. In most conditions, we needed to conceal the digicam or discover difficult methods to work across the limitations. Making this movie was an enormous revolt. Showing it means a good larger victory for us,” mentioned Ahmadzadeh in an announcement, with Locarno’s inventive director Giona A. Nazzaro calling for his launch.
“It means loads. Not just for Ali, however it evokes and empowers a number of Iranian underground filmmakers, whose voices are censored. Normally, this is able to be a second of happiness, however Ali shouldn’t be right here. And I believe his solely crime is making films and creating artwork,” mentioned producer Sina Ataeian Dena.
“I don’t need you to be glad. I need you to be offended that he’s not right here, that from left or proper, freedom of expression is being attacked. Iranians gave up on Western politics a very long time in the past, however now, I’m addressing Western civil society: People which can be preventing in Iran? They share the identical values with you. Be offended and do one thing revolutionary along with your anger,” he mentioned to a standing ovation.
“I hope this movie will nonetheless be perceived as a murals. As a murals that has been produced underneath troublesome, advanced and endangering conditions for the forged and crew. But it’s nonetheless an expression of the expertise of an especially unconventional filmmaker,” Nazzaro informed Variety.
“I used to be fed up with the ‘official’ movies from Iran, those the place it’s a must to learn between the strains. What struck me [here] was the sheer audacity, the daring method. It’s an especially brave movie. The indisputable fact that it’s a must to be in a automobile, that your existential area is continually being diminished and it’s a must to create a man-made one via the usage of medicine… I simply thought it was so fascinating. Sometimes, you simply should make your self heard.”
Ahmadzadeh’s win marked a day of triumph for Iranian cinema, with “Shayda” starring “Holy Spider” revelation Zar Amir Ebrahimi – directed by Noora Niasari and exec produced by Cate Blanchett – additionally chosen as Locarno’s closing movie. Sadly, because of the strike, Blanchett couldn’t attend.
“The strike is a world phenomenon. We have been impacted by not having Riz Ahmed, who despatched an announcement, we have been impacted by not having Cate Blanchett. We had ‘Lousy Carter’ and David David Krumholtz, who obtained a waiver, we had Stellan Skarsgård, who got here however didn’t settle for the award. It has been completely different from expertise to expertise,” provides Nazzaro.
“I really like stars. We are at all times welcome to welcome them. I’m a fan.”
Critics’ darling Radu Jude walked off with Special Jury Prize for “Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World,” whereas promising Ukrainian newcomer Maryna Vroda – already awarded for her quick “Cross” in Cannes – was named greatest director for “Stepne.”
“I actually hope there will probably be extra Ukrainian voices, extra Ukrainian movies and that we are going to not disappear. Please, don’t allow us to disappear,” Vroda mentioned, additionally mentioning individuals who died in the course of the battle and yelling “Slava Ukraini!” along with Radu Jude.
Finally, gender-neutral appearing awards, launched this yr, went to Dimitra Vlagopoulou for “Animal” and Renée Soutendijk for Ena Sendijarević’s “Sweet Dreams.”
Sylvain George was awarded a particular point out for his night time stroll round Melilla, “Obscure Night – Goodbye Here, Anywhere,” the place he accompanies Moroccan children as they attempt to get to Europe, however initially, to outlive one other day.
“The factor with most movies right this moment is that they’re taking part in it too secure. We are attempting to stay our neck out for movies which can be unconventional, however clearly, they should be good,” noticed Nazzaro. Also mentioning “The Invisible Fight” that finally went house empty-handed.
“Rainer Sarnet shouldn’t be some loopy man. This is an achieved filmmaker. And the truth that we’re solely paying consideration now? That’s not his fault. I really feel we may have a complete competition product of Eastern European movies. They are those that handle the political problems with right this moment.”
Dreaming Dying
Credit: Momo Film Co
In Locarno’s Cineasti del Presente (Filmmakers of the Present) competitors, Nelson Yeo received with “Dreaming & Dying” – additionally selecting up one other trophy for greatest First Feature – whereas Katharina Huber’s directing for “A Good Place” impressed the jury. One of her actors, Clara Schwinning, received the most effective efficiency award alongside Isold Halldórudóttir and Stavros Zafeiris, appearing in “Touched.”
Éléonore Saintagnan’s pleasant “Camping du Lac,” a couple of unusual place by the lake nobody can go away, not even a legendary monster, acquired a particular jury prize.
“The concept of comedy addressing the theme of local weather change might seem to be an acrobatic feat, however the most effective jokes are sometimes based mostly on tragic details. Given the present stage of absurdity of the world, it might be solely pure if we noticed increasingly more humorous movies rising,” she mentioned.
“For a very long time, comedies have been thought of a minor and silly style. I believe the other: Humor has to do with intelligence.”
“Excursion” by Una Gunjak and “Negu Hurbilak,” directed by the Negu Film Collective, got particular mentions.
Apart from the strike, the competition additionally witnessed a protest staged by environmental activists.
“It was not an assault. It felt like folks needed to be heard. I didn’t need them to get damage, to do one thing irrational within the warmth of the second. I went: ‘You wish to speak and we wish to hear.’ They have been accompanied out and on the finish of the movie, they may hang around leaflets,” mentioned Nazzaro, additionally opening up a couple of extra serene second: Welcoming Ken Loach in Locarno.
“He is a logo of a world that’s no extra. A world dominated by solidarity, by pacifism and mutual respect. You see this man and for his whole life he stood up for what he believes in. He at all times had the again of the forgotten ones. He shouldn’t be giving up.”
“Ken was ingesting a beer in one of many bars across the Piazza, with Paul [Laverty] and his spouse. And there you had ‘The Old Oak’ once more. In Locarno!”
“This has been an exciting version, reasserting the centrality of the Locarno Film Festival and its means to discover up to date cinema in each form and measurement, capturing the hearts and minds of our beneficiant, curious and passionate public, who crowded into the Piazza Grande and theaters in nice numbers,” mentioned Nazzaro.
The 77th Locarno Film Festival will happen from Aug. 7-17, 2024.
This yr’s winners:
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Golden Leopard for Best Film
“Critical Zone,” (Ali Ahmadzadeh, Iran, Germany)
Special Jury Prize
“Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World,” (Radu Jude, Romania, Luxembourg, France, Croatia)
Best Director
Maryna Vroda (“Stepne,” Ukraine, Germany, Poland, Slovakia)
Best Actress
Dimitra Vlagopoulou (“Animal,” Greece/Austria/Romania/Cyprus/Bulgaria)
Best Actor
Renée Soutendijk (“Sweet Dreams,” Netherlands, Sweden, Indonesia, Réunion)
Special Mention
“Nuit obscure – Au revoir ici, n’importe où,” (Sylvain George, France, Switzerland)
CINEASTI DEL PRESENTE (FILMMAKERS OF THE PRESENT) COMPETITION
Best Film
“Dreaming & Dying,” (Nelson Yeo, Singapore, Indonesia)
Best Emerging Director
Katharina Huber (“Ein Schöner Ort,” Germany)
Special Jury Prize CINÉ+
“Camping Du Lac,” (Éléonore Saintagnan, Belgium, France)
Best Actress
Clara Schwinning (“Ein Schöner Ort,” Germany)
Best Actor
Isold Halldórudóttir, Stavros Zafeiris, (“Touched,” Germany)
Special Mentions
“Excursion,” (Una Gunjak, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, France, Norway, Qatar)
“Negu Hurbilak,” (Colectivo Negu, Spain)
FIRST FEATURE COMPETITION
Swatch First Feature Award
“Dreaming & Dying,” (Nelson Yeo, Singapore, Indonesia)
PARDI DI DOMANI SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Concorso Corti d’autore
Best Auteur Short Film
“The Passing,” (Ivete Lucas, Patrick Bresnan, U.S)
Special Mention
“Been There,” (Corina Schwingruber Ilić, Switzerland)
Concorso internazionale
Best International Short Film
“A Study of Empathy,” (Hilke Rönnfeldt, Denmark, Germany)
Pardino d’argento SRG SSR for the International Competition
“Du Bist So Wunderbar,” (Leandro Goddinho, Paulo Menezes, Germany, Brazil)
Best Director
Eric Okay. Boulianne (“Faire Un Enfant,” Canada)
Medien Patent Verwaltung AG Award
“The Guard,” (Amirhossein Shojaei, Iran)
Special Mention
“The Lovers,” (Carolina Sandvik, Sweden)
Concorso nazionale
Best Swiss Short Film
“Letzte Nacht,” (Lea Bloch, Switzerland)
Pardino d’argento Swiss Life for the National Competition
“Night Shift,” (Kayije Kagame, Hugo Radi, Switzerland
Best Swiss Newcomer Award
“Letzte Nacht,” (Lea Bloch, Switzerland)
PARDO VERDE RICOLA AWARDS
Pardo Verde Ricola
“Guardians of the Formula,” (Dragan Bjelogrlić, Serbia, Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia)
Special Mentions
“Procida,” (Procida Film Atelier, Italy)
“Valley Pride,” (Lukas Marxt, Austria, Germany)
INDEPENDENT JURY AWARDS
Ecumenical Jury Award
“Patagonia,” (Simone Bozzelli, Italy)
Special Mention
“Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World,” (Radu Jude, Romania, Luxembourg, France, Croatia)
FIPRESCI Award
“Stepne,” (Maryna Vroda, Ukraine, Germany, Poland, Slovakia)
European Cinemas Label Award
“Yannick,” (Quentin Dupieux, France)
JUNIOR JURY AWARDS
Concorso internazionale
“Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World,” (Radu Jude, Romania, Luxembourg, France, Croatia)
“Sweet Dreams,” (Ena Sendijarević, Netherlands, Sweden, Indonesia, Réunion)
“Critical Zone,” (Ali Ahmadzadeh, Iran, Germany)
Environment is Quality of Life Prize
“Nuit obscure – Au revoir ici, n’importe où,” (Sylvain George, France, Switzerland)
Special Mention
“Stepne,” (Maryna Vroda, Ukraine, Germany, Poland, Slovakia)
Cineasti del Presente Award
“Camping Du Lac,” (Éléonore Saintagnan, Belgium, France)
Special Mention
“On the Go,” (María Gisèle RoyoJulia de Castro, Spain)
Pardi di domani
“Z.O.,” (Loris G. Nese, Italy)
“Canard,” (Elie Chapuis, Switzerland, Belgium)
“Intelligence,” (Jeanne Frenkel, Cosme Castro, France)
Special Mention
“A Study Of Empathy,” (Hilke Rönnfeldt, Denmark, Germany)
Open Doors Shorts
Environment is high quality of life Prize
“Rimana Wasi: Hogar de Historias,” (Ximena Málaga Sabogal, Piotr Turlej, Peru)
Special Mention
“Plástico,” (Vero Kompalic, Venezuela)
CRITICS’ WEEK AWARDS
Grand Prix
“Monogamia,” (Ohad Milstein, Israel)
Premio Zonta Club Locarno
“Les Soeurs Pathan,” (Eléonore Boissinot, France)
Marco Zucchi Award
“Les Premiers Jours,” (Stéphane Breton, France)
Residency Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur @ Villa Sträuli
Mohamadreza Mayghani, (Filmmakers Academy participant, Iran)
Stepne
Credit: Andrii Lysetskyi
