Ever wondered what it’s like to watch a movie beneath shooting stars? This seemingly dream-like situation for movie fans is an easy reality at the annual Locarno Film festival in Ticino.
Ken Loach: a voice for all
Myself and a close friend joined 8,000 other Ken Loach fans to watch his latest movie, The Old Oak on the Piazza Grande. It was really amazing to witness the standing ovation for the director and the deep appreciation of his rich body of work. His voice is that of the vulnerable, the underprivileged and marginalised in British society.
Looking back over his fifty-year career and the evolution of British life and politics, he is unfortunately not positive about what lies ahead for poorer citizens in the UK. These are the people who find it more difficult to thrive within the construct of modern, capitalist society. This is often with horrendous mental and physical consequences. The Old Oak felt like a longing from Ken Loach for what could be possible when community works together and racism and fear is cast aside. This movie is a tribute to the idea that those who are fundamentally so different can come together and then realise that they share so much in common.
Movie hopping
There are a few sure things that make me happy in life. Really high up on my list are movies and the whole world of filmmaking. A great movie can make you forget your surroundings and pull you into a director’s vision of the world.
Locarno Film Festival is such a compact size to wander by foot and the film festival app makes it really easy to navigate the different locations and screenings. It was so fun to wake up, grab a quick breakfast and then head straight for a 9am film screening. The most important thing on everyone’s minds during these days? Movies of course!
We decided to watch a group of short movies which was a brilliant experience. I loved the contrast of the first movie, which had no dialogue, followed by an animation, a drama and then a thriller. It’s literally a rollercoaster way to digest films.
After this, we watched an excellent movie called Wanha Markku from Finnish director, Markus Toivo. The movie gets under the skin of a family torn apart by silence and the looming figure of a dysfunctional father and deep pain forged in childhood. I really enjoyed it and it had a simmering anger combined with beauty as the director tries to make sense of his father’s impact on his life, but also that of his male siblings.
There is no tying-up of loose ends as the movie ends for all characters, but it is a raw look at the relationship between parent and child and of letting go. The director and members of the crew then took to the stage after the screening for a Q&A which was so enjoyable. The motivations of the director become clearer after hearing answers in his own words. There is something so universal about the quest to find your place in the world and understand family life.
Explore to your heart’s content
If you have any time between movies, then walk the narrow side streets surrounding the Piazza Grande. You’ll find a range of beautiful independent gift shops , restaurants, boutiques and peaceful courtyards.
We found a lovely ceramic gallery and got chatting to the owner who has a kiln right on view in his store. We of course could not leave empty-handed and brought back ceramic egg cups and mugs that are perfect for cozy winter evenings. If you are a fashion lover this town is also for you, not to mention the perfect place for an Apéro and relax surrounded by uplifting Italian voices.
The lake front is well worth a visit and the shady benches call out for a pause to take in the crystal clear water. The train journey back to Zurich is just over two hours, yet you feel a world away. I always return with a new perspective after a few hours in beautiful Ticino and topped up on vitamin D! I’m looking forward to next year’s festival already!
Find out more about Locarno Film Festival 2024 here.