Futurespectives

Head of Locarno Pro, Markus Duffner, has been around the block more than once on the film festival circuit. Since 2014 he has worked for Locarno Pro taking charge of projects such as First Look and Match Me!, while in 2020 he became project manager of the new and highly innovative platform Heritage Online, devoted to digital distribution of classic and auteur movies, conceived by Duffner himself. Markus talks to Futurespectives host Gabby Sanderson about founding the Video On Demand platform 'Spamflix', the 360° role Locarno Pro plays in the support of auteur cinema, and why the Locarno Film Festival is such a driving force within the cinema industry. This episode was recorded in August of 2022.

Sociologist and writer Aris Komporozos-Athanasiou's research spans social and political theory, political and economic sociology, and studies about social movements. Talking to Futurespectives host Gabby Sanderson, Aris examines the sociological lens and its imagination, the current radical uncertainty that dominates life, and the rise of speculative communities. Aris also discusses the attention economy and how that relates to film, sharing his observations in the distorted use of social media and in politics, and highlights the important role art plays in offering people more hopeful narratives to inspire them and improve lives in general.   Aris' latest book 'Speculative Communities: Living with Uncertainty in a Financialized World' is out now.

Film director, screenwriter and editor Kelly Reichardt is an author of free, independent, and brave cinema. She is best known for her minimalist films closely associated with slow cinema, many of which deal with working-class characters in small, rural communities. Kelly talks to Futurespectives Gabby Sanderson about why she is drawn to telling stories in which 'characters have to make only one mistake to see themselves sunk', about her continuing partnership and friendship with actress Michelle Williams, and how the animals that feature in her movies 'direct you'. Kelly also shares why she likes to personally edit the majority of her films, and reflects on the challenges she faced early on in her career due to her gender.

Director, Writer, Producer, Head of the Locarno Filmmakers Academy and Project Manager of Basecamp Stefano Knuchel has lived an extraordinary life and he's not slowing down! The self-taught director talks to Futurespectives host Gabby Sanderson about some of his incredible life adventures and how that is reflected in his films. Stefano also shares stories of a young Penélope Cruz and Spike Lee finding their way in Locarno, what it was like to grow up with a father who was a conman, and his hopes for the bright young creatives who take part in the Locarno Film Festival.