Recent articles
August 27, 2026
Director of Haugesund Closing Film ‘The Murder of Benjamin’ Says the Infamous Neo-Nazi Killing Was a ‘Wake-Up Call for the Whole Nation’ But ‘They Are Rising Again’
Norwegian director Ingvild Søderlind says that the 2001 killing of Benjamin Hermansen was a “wake-up call for the whole nation.” Hermansen, a teenager born to a Norwegian mother and a Ghanaian fath...
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August 26, 2026
Amanda Kernell Is More Interested in ‘Liberation Than a Curse’ as Her Third Feature ‘Brace Your Heart’ Debuts Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)
In her upcoming third feature “Brace Your Heart,” Amanda Kernell follows a survivor, not a victim. “We’re all different, and some people who experience really difficult things can’t recover. But t...
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August 24, 2026
Joachim Trier’s ‘Sentimental Value,’ Hlynur Pálmason’s ‘The Love That Remains’ Among the Nominees for the Nordic Council Film Prize
Five features and one documentary have been nominated for the 2026 Nordic Council Film Prize. It’s awarded to a feature film or documentary produced in the Nordic countries that has been distribute...
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August 24, 2026
Erik Poppe Talks Haugesund Opener ‘Beloved,’ Written by Nobel Prize Winner Jon Fosse: ‘People Long for Something Honest and Truthful’
In “Beloved,” opening the Norwegian International Film Festival Haugesund, Erik Poppe takes on a script by Nobel Prize winner Jon Fosse. “It’s a project that has been on my desk for many, many year...
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August 23, 2026
‘Sentimental Value’ Star Anders Danielsen Lie and Anne Marie Ottersen Inducted Into the Haugesund Walk of Fame: ‘It Feels Full Circle’
Norwegian actors Anders Danielsen Lie and Anne Marie Ottersen were inducted into the Haugesund Walk of Fame.. The unveiling taking place during the first weekend of this year’s Norwegian Intl. Fil...
variety.com
August 22, 2026
‘Sentimental Value’ Sweeps Amanda Awards
Joachim Trier’s Oscar winner “Sentimental Value” became this year’s biggest Amanda Awards winner, taking home eight statuettes, including the top prize for best Norwegian film. Trier was also awar...
variety.com
August 11, 2026
Monica Bellucci Has ‘Never’ Done Anything Like ‘Ketticè’: ‘I Was on Set in My Pajamas With a Knife in My Hand and Slippers on My Feet’
Do you think Monica Bellucci has done it all? Think again. “I’ve never done anything like that,” she tells Variety about her role in “Ketticè.” Directed by Giovanni Tortorici, the film premiered at...
variety.com
August 9, 2026
Olivia Wilde Calls ‘The Invite’ the ‘Most Incredible’ Experience of Her Life: ‘It Was the Highlight of My Career’
Olivia Wilde brought “The Invite” to Locarno. “I’m in shock. This is overwhelming and exciting,” she told the audience at Piazza Grande, which reportedly has one of the world’s largest cinema scree...
variety.com
August 8, 2026
Olivia Wilde Says She’s Become ‘So Much More Romantic’ Because of ‘The Invite’: ‘It Melted the Cynic Out of Me’
Olivia Wilde said she has become “so much more romantic” because of “The Invite.” “It’s melted the cynic out of me,” she said at Switzerand’s Locarno Film Festival . “I have spoken to people who ha...
variety.com
August 7, 2026
Virginie Efira – a ‘Showgirls’ Fan – Enjoyed the ‘Benedetta’ Controversy: ‘When Verhoeven Said There Would Be Lesbian Sex Scenes, I Just Replied: ‘No Problem’
Paul Verhoeven’s “Benedetta,” about a nun embarking on a scandalous affair with another nun, offended many viewers and sparked protests in several countries. But it didn’t offend its lead Virginie ...
variety.com
August 7, 2026
Claes Bang Plays a Masseur of Nazi Leader Heinrich Himmler in ‘I Is Another’ — but John Paul in ‘Bad Sisters’ Is Still One of His ‘Worst Characters’
Claes Bang plays Heinrich Himmler’s personal physical therapist in Locarno premiere “I Is Another.” Directed by Felix Randau, it focuses on the true story of Felix Kersten. Kersten, who passed away...
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August 7, 2026
Locarno’s Alliance 4 Development Welcomes Queer Musical, Eco Body Horror and Bruce LaBruce’s Melodrama with Monica Bellucci and Béatrice Dalle
Alliance 4 Development, Locarno’s co-development platform for film projects from Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland, has presented this year’s projects. The line-up includes Bruce LaBruce’s ...
variety.com
August 6, 2026
James Gray Says AI Is ‘Worthless’ and Young People Won’t Stand for It: They ‘Have a Real Hunger for Interesting, Honest Stuff’
Over 30 years into his career, James Gray isn’t following any trends. And he’s not about to start now. “This idea that we’re supposed to always try to be ‘new’… That doesn’t really mean anything. ...
variety.com
August 6, 2026
Isabella Rossellini Talks Lynch, ‘Green Porno’ and How Animals Became Her Favorite ‘Muses’: ‘They Fascinate Me’
Isabella Rossellini has received the Excellence Award at Locarno. “The prize I’m receiving tonight is for excellence, which is something I haven’t heard very often,” she said during the opening cer...
variety.com
August 4, 2026
‘Gagarine’ Directors Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh Talk ‘The Green Eyes’ as Kinology Announces First Sales: ‘Dreamers Know No Borders’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Having boarded as the sales agent of Locarno Film Festival’s “The Green Eyes,” Kinology has pre-sold “The Green Eyes” to Benelux (Cinart), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Turkey (Chantier) and the former ...
variety.com
July 27, 2026
Locarno’s StepIn Focuses on ‘Power, People, Data and the Future of Film’: ‘The Counter-Algorithm Is a Human Being Who Gives a Damn’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Now in its 15th year, Locarno’s think tank StepIn will debate “Power, People, Data and the Future of Film.” “Last year, StepIn focused on one of the defining qualities of independent cinema: the wi...
variety.com
July 17, 2026
Locarno’s First Look Section Reveals Six Uruguayan Titles, From Family Stories to Drama About Desire That ‘Persists Across Oceans’
Locarno Pro’s work-in-progress section First Look – set to celebrate its 15th edition this year – has unveiled six new titles. This year’s spotlight falls on Uruguay, and is prepared in partnership...
variety.com
July 14, 2026
Fandango Sales Picks Up Explosive Locarno Premiere ‘The Chilean’ Where ‘Everything Is on the Verge of Detonation’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Fandango Sales has boarded Sergio Castro-San Martín’s “The Chilean” ahead of its world premiere at Locarno. Set in 1976, the film follows Chilean miner Aldo Marín as he flees Chile’s regime for T...
variety.com
July 11, 2026
Myanmar-Set ‘Fruit Gathering’ Wins at Karlovy Vary: ‘Harrowing Drama of Obsession and Queer Desire’
“Fruit Gathering” won the Crystal Globe at Karlovy Vary Film Festival on Saturday. Directed by Aung Phyoe, it “begins as a lush and meditative portrait of work and friendship before morphing, unex...
variety.com
July 10, 2026
Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick and Travis Bacon Talk About Their Bloody ‘Family Movie’ – and Why ‘Violence Can Be Hysterical’: ‘We Are Really Twisted People’
Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick and their children Sosie Bacon and Travis Bacon may have made a “Family Movie,” but “it’s not a reality show.” “What was cool from the very first read was that it wasn’t ...
variety.com
July 10, 2026
Jeffrey Wright Says Being Black Is a ‘Political Term,’ Talks Racist Abuse Against Kylian Mbappé: ‘They Think They Can Diminish How Powerful He Is With Their Stupidity’
Jeffrey Wright opened up about the racist abuse of football star Kylian Mbappé. After Paraguay’s loss to France at the World Cup, Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla attacked him on social media, d...
variety.com
July 9, 2026
Locarno Festival Announces ‘Adventurous’ Lineup Featuring Caleb Landry Jones, Isabelle Huppert, Hong Sang-soo and Monica Bellucci
Locarno has announced the full lineup for its 79th edition, featuring 103 world premieres. Artistic Director Giona A. Nazzaro called it “an adventurous selection, full of surprises, which tackles ...
variety.com
July 6, 2026
Ivan Ostrochovský Talks ‘Only Beautiful Things to Look At’ About Forced Sterilization – and Its U.S. Remake: ‘This Was Happening All Around the World’
Slovak director Ivan Ostrochovský is planning a U.S. remake of “Only Beautiful Things to Look At.” His latest drama, which premieres at Karlovy Vary Film Festival, is set in the 1980s and follows a...
variety.com
July 5, 2026
Trine Dyrholm Crashes a Party in Mads Mengel’s ‘The Guest,’ Proving She’s ‘Simply One of Denmark’s Greatest Actors’
Don’t be fooled by that angelic smile. Trine Dyrholm is ready to wreak havoc in “The Guest.” In Mads Mengel’s drama – premiering at Karlovy Vary Film Festival – new father Karl (Simon Bennebjerg) i...
variety.com
July 5, 2026
Switzerland Shows Its Dark Side in Jan-Eric Mack’s ‘A Happy Family’: ‘People Don’t Talk’
Switzerland is still one of the richest countries in the world. But there are cracks in its foundation, argues director Jan-Eric Mack. “During the pandemic, we started seeing people lining up to ge...
variety.com
July 5, 2026
Tauron American Film Festival Readies for 17th Edition – and U.S. in Progress Continues to Be an ‘Essential Part of the Fabric of American Independent Cinema’
Poland’s Tauron American Film Festival will celebrate its 17th edition from Nov. 17-22 – and its industry sidebar U.S. in Progress will, once again, connect European buyers and Polish post-producer...
variety.com
June 26, 2026
Pixar Makes a Splash With New Short ‘Loving Dory’ Featuring Nemo and Dory, Teases ‘Gatto’
Nemo and Dory are back – in Pixar’s new theatrical short “Loving Dory.” “It’s a new chapter in Dory’s story, because she allows us to have fun,” said director Lou Hamou-Lhadj. This time, she will f...
variety.com
June 26, 2026
Disney Spotlights ‘Hexed’ at Annecy, Announces New Short ‘Lilo & Scratch’ – Still Starring Stitch
Disney announced Friday a new short at Annecy: “Lilo & Scratch.” “For the first time in five years, we have a new theatrical short,” said director Fawn Veerasunthorn, adding: “We are in this ro...
variety.com
June 25, 2026
Keanu Reeves-Voiced Stop-Motion Samurai Animation ‘Hidari’ Steals the Show at Annecy: ‘Imagine ‘John Wick’ Set in Feudal Japan and Performed by Wooden Puppets on Steroids’
Keanu Reeves thrilled fans at Annecy, sending a video message to confirm his participation in samurai stop-motion project “Hidari.” “I think that the stop-motion and what they’ve done, their hope a...
variety.com
June 25, 2026
Taiwan Brings a Whole Lot of Music – And a Magical Food Truck – to Annecy: ‘We Need to Work Harder to Make Our Characters Go Global’
Taiwanese companies eye global success. “There are many talented people in Taiwan – the problem is that our market is really small. Over the past few years, and with the support of TAICCA [Taiwan ...
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