hurluberlu

First Mann and all what will makes his films so popular is already there.

One of my favorite! A timeless classic!

Agree, the car chases are phenomenal though (editing, camera placement, soundtrack).

« she can barely move her face, not great for an actor » 🤣🤣🤣 nailed it

Sirât (2025)
Oliver Laxe does not seem to care too much about his scenario and characters. There are some twists and, stretching it, even, maybe, some political messaging, but, this is essentially all about first-degree stimulation: it will reach and wow your eyes and ears.
7/10

I am leaning towards the « others » on this one although unwatchable is a bit strong. Would it have been as popular if called « how to make millions from grandma’s death »? more accurate for sure

I found it overwritten, with kids prisoners of where the script wanted to take them.

Looks like a pure product of the 80s, will give it a try!

What Does That Nature Say to You (2025)

This will look very familiar to the regulars of Hong Sang-soo films (11 in 5 years!): a woman introduces her boyfriend to her family, a lot of drinks and casual talks ensue… And yet, there is still some truth and sensitivity that feels fresh and genuine.
7/10

Never dared to watch that one… 👀

August 31st September 1st

Exciting to hear! Old Henry was a pleasant and creative western reboot.

Eddington (2025)

The quibbles between a mayor and a sheriff over Covid measures escalate to a violent warfare. After 90min of tedious Covid memorabilia, what becomes a confused thriller is certainly a fair description of US ideological mess but tiring for the casual viewer.
5/10

Together (2025)

The genuine director's excitement to play with its concept and bodies plasticity is fun to watch. But we also always feel ahead of the characters, and there was room for the metaphor to be worked deeper. Still a good body horror flick for Saturday nights.
6/10

Sunlight (2024)

A low-budget, bitter-sweet road movie with two unlikely buddies: one in a monkey suit, the other in suicidal depression. Jokes are actually funny (getting rare) and beyond the zaniness of the situation, there is a real care for the characters' trauma.
7/10

Madly (2025)

A sort of live-action Inside Out for adults where we follow a couple’s first date and their inner thoughts. Not really a fresh concept anymore, even for Italy, but has a few romance and comedy moments.
6/10

Oh I didn’t know it was always meant to be the first instalment of a trilogy, makes a lot of sense… 😅 Alfie Williams, the young lead, was excellent by the way.

28 Years Later (2025)

Garland is revisiting zombies world, exploring family and womanhood. Boyle revives the flashy colors, fast paced editing and camera inventiveness of the 2000s. A fun collaboration, that looked more like a series pilot, but also leaves us only longing for the next episode.
7/10

Materialists (2025)

Sadly, not confirming Song's talent as cinematographer but confirming lackluster writing: this looked like a formulaic, posh NYC rom-com with little romance and little comedy. And no drama either, who is buying Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans poorness ?
4/10

Cult for some ! Been on my watchlist for too long…

Thanks for sharing. I love “retros” and having the opportunity to watch them again on the big screen is great but, as a reader, I would like better critics’ coverage of the recent arthouse releases though, especially from Locarno. Who knows, maybe I am the Odd Man Out.

Let me critique the critic… I’d love to hear why you watched 14 films of the UK ‘50s-‘60s retrospective but only 6 of the 99 world premiere screened at the festival. Surely, the latter are the ones that really tell us about the world and need critics exposure to connect with a wider audience.

White Snails (2025)

Echoing last year's Golden Leopard “Toxic”, we follow an aspiring model again, with a morbid attraction that she fills with Misha, a morgue staff and painter. The script makes the development of their relation very rich, although Misha is stealing every scene.
7/10
#locarno78

Very accurate description! 😅

Keep Quiet (2025)

A solide crime drama, that I didn’t expect to see in Locarno’ selection but which is most welcome. From acting to settings, all looked very true to US indigenous reservations and director Grashaw aptly takes us to its violent resolution.
7/10
#locarno78

Yakushima's Illusion (2025)

Corry longs for her disappeared lover and lives trough the emotions and challenges of her work as transplant coordinator. It is almost two separate movies but Krieps’ natural acting and Kawase delicate direction are convincing enough.
7/10
#locarno78

78th Locarno Film Festival Jury Special Mention
#locarno78
#locarno

Very special indeed and one of the most memorable screening of the whole festival for me.

78th Locarno Film Festival Golden Leopard
#locarno78
#locarno

Not the most ambitious film of the selection, but it will certainly have a public.

Le Lac (2025)

An ethereal film, where time seems suspended in the torpor of Lake Léman. A couple sails, occasionally faces the elements, tries to win a race, rests. A metaphor? Formal beauty mostly outweighs any real tension and subtext, left me wanting more.
6/10
#locarno78

It Was Just An Accident (2025)

Cannes Golden Palme on screening at Piazza Grande: not a bad Panahi, not his strongest either. It suffers from a formulaic scenario seen elsewhere (eg Death and the Maiden). Still hot on today’s Iran but less radical and inventive.
6/10
#locarno78