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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Locarno Director on ‘Dracula,' Jackie Chan and Hosting a Film Festival With the World 'in Flames'
The 78th edition of the Locarno International Film Festival has a lot to offer movie buffs. There is auteur cinema, both from established and new voices, big-screen classics, plus experimental fare, Cannes highlights, and stars like Jackie Chan, Emma Thompson and Lucy Liu who will receive fest honors. Some of the more high-profile titles screening at this year's fest, running Aug. 6-16 in the picturesque Swiss lakeside town, include Dracula by Romanian director Radu Jude, the latest from Abdelletif Kechiche, Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, this year's Cannes winner, Jafar Panahi's It Was Just an Accident and Legend of the Happy Worker, which was executive produced by David Lynch and directed by veteran editor Duwayne Dunham, who worked with Lynch on Twin Peaks and Blue Velvet. More from The Hollywood Reporter YouTube Heading to Mipcom as TV Market Embraces Creator Economy 'I Saw the Face of God in the Jet Wash,' Cornwall, Callum Turner, Truth, and Super 8 Adventures: A Chat With Mark Jenkin Tomorrowland Main Stage "Severely Damaged" After Catching Fire, Festival Set to Continue Locarno artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro is the man who is once again in charge of serving up an eclectic lineup full of 'the pleasure of cinema,' as he likes to say, to festival audiences and industry attendees alike. Nazzaro spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about how Locarno78 will reflect the state of the world, screening a timely-sounding TV series, bringing the controversial Kechiche to Locarno and how special it is for him and Locarno to honor those big stars. Congratulations on the great lineup. Any insight you can share into how tough it was to put together what looks like an exciting mix of serious art-house films, from established and new voices, more offbeat-sounding fare, as well as broader-appeal movies? We were extremely tough on ourselves, and unfortunately, the selection process was also very harsh, because a lot of films that we loved didn't make the cut. Sometimes I say that the quality of a selection is as good as the films that did not make the cut. In unveiling this year's lineup, you noted that the festival does not take place in a vacuum. How is the state of the world reflected in the 2025 ineup? This is something that really kept our minds busy all the time, because we are all complex beings. As someone who belongs to a lineage of cinephiles, we always try to protect our cinephilia from the outside world, especially people like me who have grown up in Italy, where there is this ideological mortgage coming from our cinephile ancestors with political engagement and a political outlook on the films and whatnot. So we try to break free of this cage. But somehow, everything that is going on in the world keeps asking you questions. So, what really is the place of a certain film in this specific moment? I really wish I could just be in my own mental space where cinephilia reigns supreme. But then you have to ask yourself serious questions: how do you pick a film and contextualize a film in the framework of a world that seems to be falling apart? I know this sounds a bit sanctimonious, because we still have the privilege of going into a dark cinema and watching a film. But how do we not abuse this kind of privilege, and how do we not make it just a selfish thing? I know this sounds terribly abstract because it does not have a straight answer. But it goes back to the fact that cinema is at its most political and free when it is completely 2025 will also feature two films that seem to refer to the Gaza conflict: by Palestinian director Kamal Aljafari in the main competition and Israeli director Eran Kolirin's in an out-of-competition slot. Why did your team pick these two, and did you select films from different perspectives on purpose?It would be wrong on so many levels to think that one thing evens out another thing. It would be the worst mistake to do something like that. It would be terrible. We have a film about Gaza, because it's a film that was supposed to be Kamal Aljafari's first film, when he was looking for a friend in Gaza, around the early years of the 2000s, when the so-called largest open-air prison in the world was creating the preconditions of the unspeakable tragedy that we are witnessing today. And the reason why we picked that film as programmers was that we see a filmmaker who, while he thinks he's making something, he's actually creating his very own archive of himself, his family, his land, his homeland and so on. This material somehow got lost, and then Kamal retrieved it again, and it's a very fascinating story. And somehow this material has become timely. We also have the new film by Eran Kolirin, who is an extremely outspoken Israeli filmmaker. That is not a film about Gaza. It's really a film about the Israeli and Jewish Zionist identity. It shows: 'What we were, what we thought we were, what we have become.' And it's a completely no-budget film in black and white. It's a film made in sketch episodes. And it's terribly prophetic in a Bron is doing double duty at Locarno this year. He has the documentary in an out-of-competition slot, and his series , about the Iran-U.S. nuclear talks at Lake Geneva in 2015, which sounds so timely. It's not the first series you screen at Locarno, but it's still rare. How did that decision come about? This is the second time in my years that we will show a series. We also screened, a couple of years ago, an Italian teen TV series called Prisma, which was a very big success for Amazon. The Deal is interesting. I got an email with the six episodes. I usually look into something just to have a taste of what it is. I was immediately hooked. Director Jean-Stéphane Bron is known as a documentary filmmaker, and suddenly he's in this environment where he creates this six-episode TV series about the behind-the-curtain dealings of the 2015 Lausanne Iranian nuclear deal talks. It's extremely interesting, and it's also eerie in a way, because when we picked it up, I thought this is a really interesting Swiss production about something International, and it looks a bit like 24 or The West Wing, this kind of American political TV series. Then history creeps up on you, and suddenly it happens again. History is quicker than cinema. So, we go back to your earlier question. We felt that history was urging us, pushing us, as if [to say]: 'It's not good enough. You have to do better.' Suddenly, when we were watching, I was telling my team: We need to be able to ensure that the films we select will also tell, retrospectively, something to someone who will study what happened in Locarno while the world was in flames. I didn't simply want the idea that even with the world going out of balance, we were just involved in our tiny cinephile squabbles. We wanted to have films, cinema, that look head-on into is again showcasing a range of cinema today, including comedies and some outrageous-sounding films. Can you talk a bit about why it's key for you to not solely focus on serious, even gloomy, art-house fare despite Locarno's strong art-house reputation? My team and I always try to create a program that is as diversified as possible. I don't want that after 11 days, people go back home and say the only thing they saw were long takes and people staring into a void. I want people to go on a ride, on a trip. So you can have challenging films and funny films, you can have documentaries, and you can have genre films, but not because of a high priest of eclecticism. A comedy is there because it's an interesting film. And if a film takes three hours to get its point across, and we select it, it's because we sincerely believe it is a film that needs to be enjoyed on its own terms. As you can also see with Dracula, Radu Jude resists, stoically, the temptation to make beautiful films. And I mean that as the highest possible praise! And, luckily, we have extremely intelligent genre filmmakers who don't care about sticking to the rules of so-called genre filmmaking and go their own crazy ways. Are there any countries represented in Locarno for the first time this year or represented again after a long break? We finally have Japan in the competition again. For certain reasons, we didn't manage to get a film for a while, and it was really weighing heavily on my mind. I thought we should try to find one, because we receive a lot of film submissions, but we also actively look for films since all of us have a large network. And we found Sho Miyake's Tabi to new Abdellatif Kechiche film, , the final movie in his trilogy, is probably one of the most controversial selections for this year's fest. Kechiche, who won the Palme d'Or in Cannes in 2013 for , has been confronted with criticism of harsh and controversial working conditions on his sets, as well as a sexual assault allegation, which he denied, and a probe which was dropped. Why did you decide to screen his new film at Locarno despite all this? We are obviously all aware of what happened, the backlash, and the aftermath of it, and so on. But then we got in touch with the producers, and we had an opportunity to see the film. And the film is in no way controversial. The film is simply a reminder of the tremendous talent that Kechiche is. It's such a staggering talent — the film seems to be light-footed, light-hearted, and quickly made as if it had been shot in an afternoon among friends. It was like when you drink a glass of natural still water, which is fresh, and then you think: Oh, I never tasted water before. What I mean is I think the film deserves a chance. It does not mean that we condone certain behaviors. The official stance of Locarno is very clear on that. But the film is not about this. It's about something else, and I think it deserves to be shared. It's a wonderful film. Let me return to the theme of the timeliness of the Locarno lineup and how it fits into the state of the world. Miguel Ángel Jiménez's , starring , will world premiere on the Locarno Piazza Grande. The film feels like a reference to our time's discussions about the power of rich people, given all the current talk about tech billionaires. Any insight on what made you bring that film to Locarno? It's a very old story about a patriarch who does not want to share his wealth, including with his daughter and offspring. It's a story about greed. It's a story about living in a world of your own making. It's also very Greek. It's about an ogre that lives on an island, and everybody is willing to please this ogre. So it's a story that resonates with ancestral echoes. Willem Dafoe plays this character with extreme gusto, and he [channels] some great, great actors, but I don't want to give it away. But when you say [billionaires] today, obviously, there are those names that pop into your mind inevitably. And if people see it that way, I cannot say anything against that. Locarno will also welcome some big names who will receive honors this year: Jackie Chan, , , Milena Canonero and . How did you decide who to honor this year? It's really about the wish of having a larger family. As a Hong Kong cinema fan — I've written three books on Hong Kong — Jackie Chan is a dream come true. Lucy Liu is one of the greatest actors in the world. Emma Thompson is a genius — craft and talent incarnated. Milena Canonero, it goes without saying, is a Renaissance genius. So it's really not about the fetish of the names. It's really about the pleasure of having these people become part of the Locarno of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘Karate Kid: Legends' Star On Work With Ralph Macchio And Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, Ben Wang and Ralph Macchio in "Karate Kid Legends." Before Ben Wang embarked on a competition against his nemesis in the new Karate Kid franchise movie Karate Kid: Legends, he competed in another match — for the coveted lead role of Li Fong in the film — that was much bigger than he ever could have imagined. 'They told me that there were 10,000 other people who submitted in the first week of the open call,' Wang recalled in a recent Zoom conversation. 'The open call lasted for a month. I don't know how many people in total they were looking at for the part but it was a lot.' Wang — who was born in Shanghai and grew up in the small town of Northfield, Minn., before moving on to college at New York University — is still humbled by the thought of how many people auditioned for the role. 'The journey of my career is, every single step, something that I don't think I would have actually even imagined for myself when I was on the previous step,' Wang said. 'Studying theater in New York and going to NYU to study musical theater professionally was a whole audition process where there were 10,000 other kids were auditioning with me for 20-30 slots in the whole program, so, I didn't think I could do that. 'I also didn't think I could work professionally — it's still a long shot — and then and then I started but didn't think I would get a big movie or TV show but I kept looking," added Wang, who previously starred in 2024 musical version of Mean Girls and will next be featured in the film adaptation of Stephen King's The Long Walk. "There were opportunities that were presented to me at points in my life where I just so happened to have the preparation to match them. It's all really luck to me.' Ming-Na Wen, Wyatt Oleff, Ralph Macchio, Ben Wang, Joshua Jackson, Jackie Chan and Sadie Stanley in ... More "Karate Kid Legends." Karate Kid: Legends, which is new on digital streaming on premium video on demand, begins in Beijing, with Wang's karate prodigy Li Fong studying under the tutelage of Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). Li Fong's mother, Dr. Fong (Ming-Na Wen) is completely against her son's aspirations to compete in karate, however, despite being Mr. Han's niece. A year prior, Li and Dr. Fong suffered a family tragedy stemming from their family's interest in competitive karate, and in a bid for a fresh start, she and her son move to New York City for a new job at a hospital. Li, however, can't avoid karate altogether. When he befriends another teen, Mia Lipani (Sadie Stanley), her former boyfriend, NYC karate champion Conor Day (Aramis Knight) begins to bully Li. Incentivized by a chance to help save Mia's father's (Joshua Jackson) restaurant from financial ruin and face his bully at the same time, Li enters NYC's famed Five Boroughs Karate Tournament. To ready Li for the tournament, Mr. Han flies in from Beijing to train his former student and thanks to his ties to the late Mr. Miyagi (the late Pat Morita), he also enlists the help of the original Karate Kid, Daniel La Russo (Ralph Macchio). Below is an exclusive first look on Ben Wang's work on 'Karate Kid: Legends.' Ralph Macchio Encouraged Ben Wang To Make Li Fong His Own In 'Karate Kid: Legends' Given the enormous success of the Karate Kid franchise — from Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita's original movie series to Jackie Chan's 2010 film to Macchio and William Zabka's Cobra Kai series — Ben Wang, needless to say, felt quite a bit of pressure to deliver big when he was cast in Karate Kid: Legends. Luckily for Wang, Macchio helped alleviate his worries before either one of them stepped foot on set. 'Ralph gave me a call two weeks before going to set to talk me through the process,' recalled Wang. What was nice about that was he basically called to say, 'You know, you have permission to do whatever you want … This is a film about your character and his experiences, and I'm here to bring you aboard [and help you not worry about the] legacy of the franchise. Just focus on doing basically what you're good at and what you want with the character.' So, that was, that was really nice to have that permission from the man.' Of course, getting over his nerves on the set of Karate Kid: Legends wasn't instantaneous. In addition to working with such acting greats as Macchio and Ming-Na Wen, Wang needed to wrap his head around the idea of going toe-to-toe with the martial arts legend who just so happened to be his hero growing up. '[When I started work on the film], they were like, 'You have to do a kung-fu fight with Jackie Chan,' which is a ridiculous thing to ask anyone to do, really, let alone a kid from a small town in Minnesota,' Wang said with a laugh. 'He's a legend to people in general but to a young Chinese actor in Hollywood, he's the pinnacle of a genre. He's quite literally an icon. 'He represents action movies to me,' Wang added. 'Growing up in China, he represented acting. He represented the movies. By far he is one of if not the biggest star in my childhood, especially when I lived in China and wasn't that exposed to Hollywood and celebrities. Jackie Chan to me represented film.' Doing a fight scene with Chan was only one part of the equation, Wang noted. He also had to take the fight to another level with his movie hero during the sequence. 'I got to meet him and then kick him in the face,' said Wang, who is still in disbelief thinking about the idea. 'It's so ridiculous that it almost took away some of my nerves. It was so hard to wrap my head around that it was easier to not let it get to me. It's so removed from reality, like I was in a simulation or something.' Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, Karate Kid: Legends is new on digital streaming. Karate Kid: Legends will also be released on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on Aug. 26.
Screen Geek
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Screen Geek
'Rush Hour' Receives Trigger Warning During TV Broadcast
The 1998 buddy cop action comedy Rush Hour is nearly thirty years old. The world has changed quite a bit since its release near the tail-end of the 1990s, and now Rush Hour has been given a trigger warning as a result. The usage of trigger warnings has become more popular in recent years as distributors attempt to warn some viewers that the content they're about to watch might not hold up to today's cultural and societal standards. Such titles can be considered to be problematic, and as the below trigger warning notes, it means Rush Hour might include content that's considered 'outdated' or even 'offensive.' Obviously not all viewers might agree with those sentiments, especially since Rush Hour is mostly a comedy movie featuring Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan rather than something genuinely mean-spirited. Either way, as shared via X, a trigger warning attached to Rush Hour on the USA Network has been spotted. The warning reads as follows: 'We all love our 90's buddy comedies… but this movie was created in a different time,' the warning begins. 'FYI: Certain depictions, language and humor may seem outdated and at times offensive.' They put a warning in front of 'Rush Hour' because of Gen Z — 🖤 Physical Media Forever 🖤 (@VHSDVDBLURAY4K) July 5, 2025 As mentioned, trigger warnings have become popular, so this might not be particularly surprising. However, for a film like Rush Hour to receive a warning, it's been enough to prompt many conversations on the matter. After all, viewers don't exactly enjoy receiving warnings, even if some viewers might find them useful. At the end of the day, viewers are generally aware of what they're watching and that times were different when older films were released. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any potential updates as we have them. While there are plenty of fans that feel rather frustrated to see a trigger warning like this attached to Rush Hour , it remains to be seen whether or not the practice of creating such warnings will continue or eventually cease.
South China Morning Post
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan films to get AI reboots in China. But not all think its a good idea
Hollywood's relationship with artificial intelligence is fraught, as studios balance the need to cut costs with growing concerns from actors, directors and crew members. But in China, efforts to use AI in entertainment are taking a more no-holds-barred approach. The China Film Foundation, a non-profit fund under the Chinese government, plans to use AI to revitalise 100 kung fu classics including Police Story , Once Upon a Time in China and Fist of Fury , featuring Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Bruce Lee , respectively. The foundation said it will partner with businesses including Shanghai Canxing Culture & Media, which will license 100 Hong Kong films to AI companies to reintroduce those movies to younger audiences globally. Jet Li in a still from Once Upon a Time in China. Photo: Golden Harvest The foundation said there are opportunities to use AI to tell those stories through animation, for example.
Time Out
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
This funky Annandale spot serves flavour-packed Japanese snacks – and all-you-can-eat dumplings on Saturdays
You've heard of Jackie Chan. Now meet Snacky Chans – an Inner West fusion den where Tokyo's late-night vibes meet Sydney's love of a good feed. Established in 2021 on Parramatta Road in Annandale, this spot has been beckoning locals with its neon-pink lighting, high-energy beats and great-value offers. It's part ramen joint, part cocktail bar – and a whole lot of fun. What's on the menu? Think Japanese flavours with a twist – from tempura tacos and miso pork ramen to house-made ponzu and fiery reaper oils. Speaking of rides, there's a sushi train, too. Some must-tries include the Wagyu nigiri, yuzu fried karaage chicken, barbecue pork buns and yakitori – some made to share, others like the ramen bowls to slurp solo. Cocktails include a Spicy Wasabi Bloody Mary and a refreshing Yuzu Margarita. The team says: 'We wanted to create something that was fun, unexpected and unapologetically bold. It's about taking the best parts of Japanese food culture and giving it a cheeky, Sydney-style remix.' Want more? Snacky Chans has a bunch of cracking deals, including all-you-can-eat dumplings plus free-flowing Spritzes and beers on Saturdays for $79 per person. Pop in on Wednesdays for $6 bao buns, or Thursdays for $6 tacos and $15 Margs. Whether you're dropping in for a midweek bite or kicking back with mates on a Friday night, Snacky Chans is your go-to for good times. Find out more here. These are the best cheap eats in Sydney right now.
