Recent articles
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...
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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...
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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...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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...
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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...
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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 ...
variety.com
June 25, 2026
Ricky Gervais Talks Netflix’s ‘Alley Cats’ as Annecy Sings Him ‘Happy Birthday’: ‘I Hope You Like Cats. And Swearing’
Ricky Gervais is ready for Netflix’s “Alley Cats.” “I hope you like cats. And swearing,” he told the audience at Annecy. The viewers serenaded him before the screening of the first two episodes, si...
variety.com
June 23, 2026
Brothers Quay Talk ‘Humble Craft’ of Animation, Tease New Project: ‘There’s No Script Yet, but We’re Getting There’
No one tells Stephen and Timothy Quay what to do. “They don’t dare,” they tell Variety. The Quay brothers – at Annecy to receive the Honorary Cristal award – are identical twins and always speak a...
variety.com
June 18, 2026
WIA Celebrates 10 Years of WIA World Summit at Annecy, Announces Bonnie Arnold’s Fireside Chat and Asks What Comes Next (EXCLUSIVE)
Women in Animation has announced its lineup for this year’s WIA World Summit at Annecy, themed “Frame by Frame: A Global Celebration of Women and Nonbinary Creators.” The summit will feature produ...
variety.com
June 18, 2026
Banijay Kids & Family Picks up Heavy Metal Satire ‘Belzebubs,’ Announces Voice Cast and Shares First Clip: ‘Exceptional Series with a Pulsing Dark Heart’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Banijay Kids & Family has secured distribution rights to Pyjama Films’ mockumentary-style adult animation “Belzebubs.” Currently in production, it’s already confirmed for YLE in Finland and TV...
variety.com
June 15, 2026
‘There Has to Be Meat on the Bone’ to Create Long-Running Series, Executive Producers Argue at Monte-Carlo: ‘Follow the Stories You Want to Dig Into’
In order to create a long-running series, “there has to be meat on the bone,” “Vikings” creator Michael Hirst said Sundance at Monte-Carlo Television Festival. “It has to be a whole world, rich en...
variety.com
June 15, 2026
Why ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ Is the Perfect Opener for Monte-Carlo TV Festival: ‘It’s a True Cultural Phenomenon’
“The Walking Dead: Dead City” may be a dark show, but it’s also a fitting festival opener, argues Cécile Menoni, executive director of Monte-Carlo Television Festival. “It felt like a natural choic...
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