Florin Şerban’s ‘You Don’t Belong Here’ Wins Golden Leopard

Florin Şerban's "You Don't Belong Here" was awarded the Golden Leopard for best film in the International Competition at the 76th Locarno Film Festival, held from August 7 to August 17, 2024. The film, which explores themes of anti-Roma racism, also earned a special mention for its young lead actor, Teodor Butănescu. This marks a significant achievement for Şerban, a Romanian director previously recognized at Locarno for his 2009 film "If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle," which won the Grand Jury Prize and the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2010. The Locarno Film Festival, one of Europe's oldest film festivals, is known for showcasing independent and auteur cinema. The Golden Leopard is its highest honor.

In addition to the top film prize, the festival also recognized outstanding performances in its acting categories. Monica Bellucci, the acclaimed Italian actress, received the Leopard of Honour for her career achievements, and was also honored with the Best Acting Award for her role in the film "Diabolik – Who Wants to Kill Angela." This award acknowledges Bellucci's extensive career spanning over three decades, with notable roles in films such as "Malèna" (2000) and "The Matrix Reloaded" (2003). The Best Acting Award, which was presented to multiple actors this year, also honored South Korean actress Kim Minhee for her performance in Hong Sangsoo's "The Other Way." Kim Minhee is a frequent collaborator with Hong Sangsoo, having starred in many of his critically acclaimed films, including "Right Now, Wrong Then" (2015), which won the Golden Leopard at Locarno in 2015, and "On the Beach at Night Alone" (2017), for which she won Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Veteran Korean director Hong Sangsoo, a consistent presence and multiple award winner at the Locarno festival, was recognized with the Best Director award for "The Other Way." This latest accolade further solidifies his reputation as a significant voice in contemporary cinema. The festival's jury, chaired by Danish director Lone Scherfig, also presented other awards in the International Competition. The Grand Jury Prize went to "The Village," directed by Monica Lamberti, while the Best Director award was shared between Hong Sangsoo for "The Other Way" and Maïmouna Doucouré for "Cuties" (Mignonnes), a film that previously generated significant discussion and controversy. The Best Acting Award was also shared, with the jury recognizing the ensemble cast of "The Village" alongside Bellucci and Kim Minhee. The festival's commitment to diverse voices and cinematic innovation was evident in its selection of award winners, highlighting both established masters and emerging talents. The awards ceremony concluded the festival's ten-day run, celebrating a vibrant selection of international films.