In the Locar-Locarno

We're covering Locarno now

Switzerland is like the Catskill Mountains: the food is terrible and with such small portions. Yes, there is a certain beauty to the forbidding mountains, plunging vistas, the always-on-time fast trains, the mixtures of languages and culture and sunshine-y terraces, cafés and bars. But if literally every time you order dinner, you’re expected to take out a mortgage, and it’s not even that good, it’s not a healthy place for anyone but the richest among us to truly live.

With that said, if you have to go to Switzerland, then it’s worth avoiding Basel (boring) or Zurich (expensive and boring) and heading straight to Locarno; not only a gorgeous relaxing city but a place that truly cares about cinema. The few times I have been — walking around, soaking up rays, getting out more cash than I anticipated (every single time), surveying the Lago Maggiore and sophisticated people and getting into random excursions — I’ve always been highly impressed with the films on display. Skewing experimental, strange, different; Locarno is a festival with its own identity and its own flair, making it a must-attend event (for those who can afford it).

Journey Into Cinema is not in Locarno Locarno this year, but it will be covering Locarno through the digital sphere. I’ve seen a bunch of screeners already and I’ve been very impressed by the acting and storytelling on display, including perhaps one of the best movies of the year! Keep in touch for reviews, daily dispatches and maybe even an interview or two over at Journey Into Cinema.