More comedy, more Hollywood: Locarno Festival with a farewell that is supposed to be fun – Culture

When a film festival like Locarno presents its new program, many names are usually read: films, jurors, distinguished guests. This was no different at the press conference yesterday in Berne

but it lacked a very specific name – the most important – that of the successor of Carlo Chatrian. Chatrian has been Artistic Director of the Locarno Festival since 2013 and, after this year's edition (August 1-11), he will be attracted to the Berlin International Film Festival, where he will take office from 2020

but I would have liked to work with him for a few more years, "said Locarno Festival President Marco Solari. In the search for the estate, they want to take their time in Ticino. Thirty nominations had been received (Solari: "90% of them are very good"), and one of them will win the contract

According to Solari, nothing will be decided before the next festival, but immediately after, it could be fast. I guess we can present Carlo Chatrian's estate at the end of August.

A touch of Berlin in Locarno

Chatrian points out that he was fully focused on his last Locarno Festival. The 46-year-old Italian seemed more confident than in previous years, spoke more clearly and loudly, but "not yet in German", smiling and joking about his upcoming duties, but still in French.

Cinematographic program, which he set up for Locarno, blowing a Berlinale touch. Previously, Chatrian focused on the serious material of the smaller film countries, promising "more ease, more comedies, more films for the general public".

It starts the opening night on Piazza Grande. The classic 1929 "Liberty" short film, accompanied by live music, follows with "Les beaux ésprits" a French comedy about the real basketball team, which had deceived the participation in the Sydney Paralympic Games in 2000.

Hollywood will be more present in Locarno than ever under Chatrian. Star actor Ethan Hawke arrives to receive an honorary award and present his work as director "Blaze" on country musician Blaze Foley. In addition to Hawke's Thursday, a second well-known Hollywood actor must be announced as a star guest.