Two Seasons, Two Strangers: A Triumph at the 78th Locarno Film Festival
"Two Seasons, Two Strangers," directed by Sho Miyake, has emerged as the standout winner at the 78th Locarno Film Festival, clinching the prestigious Pardo d’Oro (Golden Leopard) during the event held in Switzerland. This Japanese drama, inspired by Yoshiharu Tsuge’s manga "Mr. Ben and His Igloo, A View of the Seaside," delves into the life of Lee, a scriptwriter navigating her personal struggles.
Locarno’s artistic director, Giona A. Nazzaro, expressed excitement about Japan’s return to the festival’s competition lineup, stating, "We finally have Japan in the competition again."
Another notable film, "White Snail," directed by Elsa Kremser and Levin Peter, won the Special Jury Prize. This romantic drama tells the story of a Belarusian model pursuing her dreams in China, who becomes enamored with a mysterious loner working the night shift at a morgue.
Abbas Fahdel received the Best Director award for his film "Tales of the Wounded Land." The Best Performance awards were shared between Manuela Martelli and Ana Marija Veselčić for their roles in "God Will Not Help," and Marya Imbro and Mikhail Senkov for their performances in "White Snail." Additionally, "Dry Leaf" by Alexandre Koberidze received a special mention in the international competition.
The international jury of Locarno78 was presided over by acclaimed Cambodian filmmaker Rithy Panh, alongside a distinguished panel that included Mexican director Carlos Reygadas, producer Joslyn Barnes, Swiss actress Ursina Lardi, and Dutch actress Renée Soutendijk.
"Two Seasons, Two Strangers" marks the fourth Japanese film to win the festival’s top prize, following notable victories by Masahiro Kobayashi’s "The Rebirth" in 2007, Akio Jissoji’s "This Transient Life" in 1970, and Teinosuke Kinugasa’s "Gate of Hell" in 1954.
In the Concorso Cineasti del Presente category, which highlights first and second features, the Golden Leopard was awarded to "Tóc, Giấy Và Nước… (Hair, Paper, Water…)" by Nicolas Graux and Trương Minh Quý. Cecilia Kang won the Best Emerging Director award for "Hijo Mayor," while performance accolades went to Aurora Quattrocchi for "Gioia Mia" and Levan Gelbakhiani for "Don’t Let the Sun."
Festival director Nazzaro commended this year’s edition, calling it a celebration of cinema’s powerful ability to unite communities and foster peace. He remarked, “A festival is like building a better tomorrow, one film at a time.”
The festival concluded with the screening of "Kiss of the Spider Woman" by Bill Condon in the scenic Piazza Grande of Locarno.
Full List of Winners from the 78th Locarno Film Festival:
International Competition
- Pardo d’Oro (Golden Leopard): "Two Seasons, Two Strangers" by Sho Miyake, Japan
- Special Jury Prize: "White Snail" by Elsa Kremser and Levin Peter, Austria/Germany
- Best Director: Abbas Fahdel for "Tales of the Wounded Land," Lebanon
- Best Performance:
- Manuela Martelli and Ana Marija Veselčić for "God Will Not Help" by Hana Jušić, Croatia/Italy/Romania/Greece/France/Slovenia
- Marya Imbro and Mikhail Senkov for "White Snail" by Elsa Kremser and Levin Peter, Austria/Germany
- Special Mention: "Dry Leaf" by Alexandre Koberidze, Germany/Georgia
Concorso Cineasti del Presente (First and Second Features)
- Pardo d’Oro: "Tóc, Giấy Và Nước… (Hair, Paper, Water…)" by Nicolas Graux and Trương Minh Quý, Belgium/France/Vietnam
- Best Emerging Director: Cecilia Kang for "Hijo Mayor," Argentina/France
- Special Jury Prize: "Gioia Mia (Sweetheart)" by Margherita Spampinato
- Best Performance:
- Aurora Quattrocchi for "Gioia Mia," Italy
- Levan Gelbakhiani for "Don’t Let the Sun," Switzerland/Italy
The festival also recognized exceptional short films and emerging talents in various categories, highlighting the vibrant landscape of global cinema.
For more updates on the latest in film festivals and cinema, stay tuned!
