News  ·  17 | 06 | 2022

The Witness of the Century

The Pardo alla carriera Ascona-Locarno brings to Locarno75 Costa-Gavras, an author with an unmistakable style and a unique film approach. Equipped with a powerful and refined style at the same time, he’s been able able to question the key points of the history of the last century

Costa Gavras © KG Productions

Costa-Gavras is a witness of cinema and of the 20th century. The most vivid part of our history is engraved in his extraordinary filmography, studded with memorable masterpieces. Born in Greece, he grew up in the shadow of masters of cinema such as Jacques Demy, Jacques Becker and René Clément, among others, and developed, over the course of a memorable and never linear career, an unmistakable style and a unique film approach.

Equipped with a powerful and refined style at the same time, he’s been able able to question the key points of the history of the last century : he looked into the heart of darkness of US imperialism, and denounced the horrors of Stalinism. Restless but never tied to ideology, he was able to tirelesslyquestion himself, always finding the right cinematic form. A sublime director of actresses and actors, he has made legendary films such as Z, The Confession, Missing, State of Siege and Amen. A winner of the most important film awards, Costa-Gavras is receiving the Pardo alla carriera Ascona-Locarno for his immense contribution to the cause of cinema.

An auteur who has always been able to ask the most uncomfortable questions of history, without ever forgetting the teachings of the art of cinema, Costa-Gavras is a master who has always dedicated himself to the cause of progress, truth and justice. By serving only the cause of cinema.

Giona A. Nazzaro

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