Futurespectives

Rebekka Freedli and Nathalie Kamber are the artistic filmmakers behind Kollektiv Beton. Based in Zurich the creative duo talk about how they are inspired by new ways and fresh perspectives that are pushing the boundaries of classical cinematic narrations. The playful work partners share how they keep their business relationship healthy by participating in therapy, what the Swiss film scene is like for young upcoming creatives, and how their walk-through video installation project SKIES, came to life.

Responsible for several of the most profitable films in Hollywood's history, Emmy-winning producer Jason Blum helped to revolutionise the horror genre with his low-budget, money-spinning formula. In this episode Jason peels back the curtain on his fruitful methods and offers unique advice to anyone considering embarking on a career as a producer.
Jason also shares with host Gabby why he loves the uncomfortable, shies away from working with difficult actors, and likes to keep the audience on their toes.

In recent years, the landscape of cinema has made some dramatic changes and Kevin B. Lee believes in one or two years from now it will evolve again to look distinctly different to how it does now.
Kevin is a filmmaker, media artist, critic and Locarno’s professor for the Future of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts. His pioneering work in the video essay format has seen Kevin produce over 360 video essays exploring film and media, and his masterclass 'Cinema In The Age of Netflix' held in Locarno immediately sold out.
In this episode Kevin sits down with host Gabby to talk about the future of cinema, culture and society and how the emergence of a new type of cinephile is influencing the way movies are being produced and consumed.
Also discussed is the urgency filmmakers have to make message films, how the rise of streaming services is affecting the social dynamic of cinema and how the power of escapism is just as important for the filmmaker as it is for their audience.

Acclaimed Palestinian artist, film director and producer Kamal Aljafari talks about interweaving fiction, non-fiction, and contemporary art in his work. In this conversation Kamal talks about the psychological strangeness of being an immigrant in the country you were born, his research into reinventing archival images for film and why art is all about sharing what’s inside you in a way that is felt by the audience.

Xiaolu Guo talks about being an immigrant in London and how she faced cultural difficulties head on and channelled them into her writing and filmmaking. The Chinese-born British novelist, memoirist and filmmaker has experienced a fascinating life growing up in a rural coastal town in the Chinese province of Zhejiang, to transitioning to a very different life in the UK. Xiaolu also shares the challenges of existing in both the Western and Chinese worlds and how some of her films and books have opened viewer’s eyes to the perspectives of Chinese characters.

In Rafael Dernbach's role as a futurist, he discusses how cinematic experiences frame our lives today. The renowned researcher shares his take on the battle for audience's attention, the way how we pay attention has fundamentally changed, and why the rise in meditation represents a direct reaction to the ever increasing noise in our lives. He discloses insights to his latest broadcasting project ‘the 24hr talk’ at the Locarno Film Festival 2022 and how innovation and reflection on new media will pave the way forward for cinema and the audio visual arts.

Michele Jannuzzi, the man behind the famous Locarno Film Festival brand emblem – the Leopard – shares the secrets of its origin, his redesign in 2007 and how the Leopard was born out of a mistake, yet quickly turned into one of the most recognisable images in cinema. The creative director and owner of Jannuzzi Smith also discusses the influence of the festival on young local creatives in Locarno just like it did for him many years ago.

Udo Kier reflects on his life in movies, discussing why he's so intrigued by complex characters and how he made it in Hollywood as a German actor. From favourite roles to favourite directors, Udo shares some candid stories from his career – one that he never wanted. This episode also sheds light on the role of cinema in opening up people's minds to different perspectives and the future of film festivals.

Artist, composer and film director Laurie Anderson shares the first story she was ever told, and how she discovered some of her iconic sound making possibilities by mistake. The key player in the avant-garde music scene since the 60's also gives a sneak peak into what she is currently working on and why Jack Kennedy sent her a dozen red roses.