Futurespectives Locarno Film Festival

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.