The Locarno Film Festival defends the diversity of cinema

On August 11th, the Japanese director Masahiro Kobayashi was awarded the biggest prize in the Locarno Film Festival for his film 'Ai No Yokan' (Also known as 'The rebirth'). "This infinitely subtle work is no doubt one of the most radical ever to have been awarded a prize at the Piazza Grande. ... Whence the return of the old adage that says films shown in Locarno are never released elsewhere [in cinemas]. Furthermore, if they aren't released, it is because Locarno only ever invites the most radical directors (i.e, the most boring). This is not entirely untrue: the big snoozes were numerous this year", concedes Thierry Jobin, who nonetheless defends the organiser's selection. "You will no doubt never see 'The Rebirth'. Locarno can do nothing about that. Locarno can do little more about the cultural policy on cinema in Switzerland which, like elsewhere, bases itself on ticket sales, market shares and popularity. In 2007, the Locarno Festival therefore stood its ground more than ever as the last stronghold of the only debate that is really worth having: that of diversity."

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