Day 9 - Thursday, 10 August: Baba, "Smuggled" into Locarno

The surprise film of the festival, Baba, ceased to be a surprise. The veil was lifted a little bit more today by its director Shuo Wang. "The copy of the film screened at Locarno is the only copy abroad. If the film is to be given an existence abroad, it will be through this only copy," said the director who, unable to tame the censorship in 5 years, has since quit making films and devoted himself to writing and even acting. more

Day 8 - Wednesday, 9 August: The Surprise Film Unveiled

After Switzerland, it was Germany's turn to take over the Grand Hotel in Locarno. Sausage, cheese, and delicious tarts were on the menu of the well attended cocktail. Among those in attendance was prominent film critic Andreas Kilp, from General Frankfurt, who accepted to tell us his true opinion about the present situation of German cinema, represented by 2 films in competition at Locarno. more

Day 7 - Tuesday, 8 August: German, Swiss, Japanese and French Cocktail

German cinema has its great names, its great actors, its great festivals and it may very well add a new name to the list, that of Philip Gröning. Young director of L'Amour, L'Argent, L'Amour, Gröning came on stage with his crew including lead actress Sabine Timoteo to present his film, which screened to a full house at the Piazza. "It is a film about the coldness of automatons, the coldness of prostitution and the coldness of love, and at the same time looking for warmth," said the director. The film was warmly received by the audience.more

Day 6 - Monday, 7 August: 26x14 Meter Celluloid Songs

The Swiss Critics' Week is the result of this profound interest for cinema. Similar to Cannes Festival's International Critics'Week, the Swiss body is made of seven selectors (chosen from the 120 members of the Association of Swiss film critics) who select 7 films. But, unlike Cannes , Locarno Critics'Week's films are documentaries. It is not widely known that Switzerlznd is one of the biggest documentary-makers in the world. In 1999, more documentaries (23) were produced than fiction films (22). In existence since 1990, the Swiss Critics' Week has shown veteran directors like Robert Leacock, Stephen Doskin and Robert Franck from the States.more

Day 5 - Sunday, 6 August: Who's the Man Who Can Chase the Coulds Away...Shaft

Hooray! It took John Singleton's latest film and hero, Shaft, to chase the clouds away for a full-fledged, double-feature screening at the Piazza Grande under the twinkling stars of the night. No complaints or added screenings in makeshift theatres at the last moment, as the crowd took over every nook and cranny. In fact, the general public pays the steep price of 20 Swiss francs or close to 12 dollars, indiscriminate of where they sit. Barriers are set up to control all the entrances to the Piazza from 7pm on. Those who made it into a restaurant before 7pm and think they will keep their table seating for the movie had better have a ticket on them; the controllers will be by to collect it.more

Day 4 - Saturday, 5 August: The Continuing Saga of the Rain

The turn-of-the-century film The House of Mirth by Terence Davies was to have been the Piazza screening Saturday night, shown instead in the Rex and Fevi theatres to full houses. So full, that by popular demand, two extra screenings in a smaller Fevi theatre were added to accomodate. Based on the classic Edith Wharton novel, Gillian Anderson (X-Files) gives a stunning performance as Lily Bart, a ravishing socialite at the height of her success who quickly discovers the precariousness of her position when her beauty and charm start attracting unwelcome interest and jealousy. more

Day 3 - Friday, 4 August: Sexual Innuendoes, Mixed with Rain

Two films made the buzz Friday receiving strong reactions from their audiences. The first was the highly anticipated and controversial Baise-moi (Rape Me) by Virginie Despentes and Coralie Trinh Thi. "The most beautiful thing I read about the movie was by a critic who said that for the first time on screen, the representation of sex is equal to the rest," said Marco Muller defending the film at the press conference. On a more unexpected note, The Closer You Get, first film from Aileen Ritchie, was very well received at its midnight screening. more

Day 2 - Thursday, 3 August: A Symphony of Languages

With everybody wondering about the correct method to ask questions and the eventuality of not understanding the answers, the press conference was as hazy as the weather over the Piazza Grande, yet Shirin Neshat's beautiful statement matched the solemn tone of the previous day's opening cocktail in stressing the importance and raison d'être of the Locarno festival: A diversity and richness addressing several generations of viewers. Naum Klejman added to the merry atmosphere in his endeavour to reflect on a juror's task in English, Russian and German. more

Day 1 - Wednesday, 2 August: Storms, Tribute and X-Men

A storm blew through the town making for a rainy opening cocktail held at the local castle and museum. The tone was solemn and each speaker paid homage to the missing Giuseppe Buffi, festival president, who died suddenly last week. The unshaven Marco Muller, festival director, was clearly in mourning and dedicated the 53rd edition to the late president. In time for the end of the speeches, the sun broke through and the heads of state, press and guests had a dry glass of champagne as the petit four trimmings were decidedly missing. Furthermore the closing dinner has been cancelled. The festival will go on, but the gaiety that goes with it will be markedly absent. more