A stoner comedy without the comedy; an arthouse drama without the art; a deep dive into social ills without going too deep; Critical Zone is inessential.
Critical Zone Fails to Hold Interest
Category: Locarno 2023
A fantastic feast of films situated on the banks of the shining Lago Maggiore.
First Case Cross-Examines Coming-of-Age
Work and sex inevitably tangle in First Case, a classically French throwback to the golden era of sexy 90s legal thrillers — live from Locarno Film Festival.
“Any kind of worker has to put on a costume every day” — Sofia Exarchou on Animal
Sofia Exarchou, director of Animal, joins Journey Into Cinema to discuss sex, tourism, cheesy music and capitalism — live from Locarno Film Festival.
Go With the Sensual Flow of On The Go
The spirit of Godard, Greenaway and Gregg Araki combine in this Andulasian road trip filled with spontaneity, creativity and a sense of open discovery.
Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World / Malleable Monochrome Monotony Unfurls
History, traffic, corporate malfeasance and toxic online culture combine in Radu Jude’s genre-bending new film Do Not Expect Too Much From The End of the World.
Stepne Ploddingly Trudges Through Ukraine’s Tragic Past
Dull visuals and an unengaging plot make Ukrainian village tale Stepne, playing in competition, an enervating watch — live from Locarno Film Festival.
All The Fires Flickers Weakly
Mexican LGBT coming-of-age drama All The Fires is well-meaning and well-acted, yet fails to leave much of a lasting impression — live from Locarno.
Once Bitten, Twice Enchanted
The Young Adult vampire tale is imbued with possibility and tenderness in breakout French debut Bitten from Romain de Saint-Blanquat – live from Locarno!
The Vanishing Soldier. Israel Smoulders.
The Vanishing Soldier uses its picarasque, free-wheeling form to investigate the complexities and paradoxes of modern Isreal — to mixed results.
Beautiful Summer Starts a Conversation That It Never Finishes
Promising a new look at female nudity in art and on-screen, Italian drama Beautiful Summer slowly gives into a panoply of clichés — live from Locarno.