Luxury, Cinema and the Art of Paying Attention
Words & Photo: Steven Anggrek
As published on Substack.
Time is a luxury
When I arrived at the Locarno Post Office, where Locarno film festival accreditations are distributed, the queue for press accreditation was brief. I was glad to know that I could head over to the Campari Lounge for the Press Aperitif on time.
Time is a luxury. I think we all can agree on that. Everybody is, like it or not, trying to do as many important tasks as possible. For someone who is working in the cultural and creative sector, networking over an aperitivo during a film festival is one of those important tasks.
I expected to spend the evening among journalists, but to my surprise the crowd was far more diverse. The gathering was a lively mix of filmmakers, producers, distributors, critics, and other cinema professionals. There, after a couple of Negroni Sbagliatos, I met Nguyen Anh, a Vietnamese-Canadian filmmaker. Time will reveal what kind of work might this friendship produce.
Waiting for Olivia Wilde
My experience of being in a room occupied by press badge holders only came when I attended the photocall for Olivia Wilde, who was in Locarno to present her latest film, The Invite.
Photographers were instructed to arrive at 17:00 and were given a twenty-minute window to photograph Olivia before she moved on to a press conference scheduled for 17:30 in the next room at the Press Village.
There I saw the professionalism of the photographers. By the time I arrived, cameras were ready with lens mounted, and positions carefully chosen. Some photographers even volunteered to stand in front of the backdrop so that others could test their settings and adjust exposure before Olivia arrived. Everyone works together.
As the minutes passed and Olivia, who both directed and starred in The Invite, was nowhere to be seen, I took a quick look at the watch on my wrist, a Maurice de Mauriac Züri-Date with a black leather strap. It was already 17:20.
No one seemed bothered and concerned. Delays, it appeared, were simply part of the rhythm of the entertainment industry. Some of the photographers had already been waiting for well over an hour, but somehow the atmosphere remained calm. Their attitude hinted that waiting was not an interruption to the job but an essential part of it. It seems that patience is one of the most underrated skills in photography.
Soon, one of the festival staff members informed us that Olivia preferred not to be filmed and that only photography would be permitted.
At 17:28, Olivia finally entered the room and greeted the photographers. She moved gracefully, fixing her hair and then gave few poses before joking that she was “out of poses”, that she had already given us everything she had. It was a brief but genuinely charming moment. Although the photocall lasted only a few minutes, everyone knew exactly what they were doing and worked efficiently. As soon as it ended, Olivia headed off to her press conference, moving on to the next item in her busy schedule.
My Travel Companions
One of the companions of this trip was a Maurice de Mauriac Züri-Date, assembled in the brand’s atelier on Rämistrasse 5 in Zurich. What I like most is its charming detail: the day is displayed in Swiss German Züridütsch. It keeps Zurich on my mind wherever I am.
Another Zurich-made brand which I admire is Peter Nitz. From his atelier in Zurich’s Old Town, Peter creates bespoke leather bags and accessories that show a rare level of craftsmanship. During the festival, I travelled with his Vide Poches, which are leather trays that became some of the most useful objects in my room, keeping together all the things that tend to scatter across a hotel desk: Press badge, wallet, 35mm film rolls, a recorder, and the watch.
Women of Locarno
During the festival, I was lucky to meet two other women whose work I have long admired: Asia Argento, who was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and Monica Bellucci, who came to Locarno to present her latest film, Ketticè, directed by Giovanni Tortorici.
Ketticè tells the story of Giulio (played by Salvatore Gallina), a teenager struggling to find his place between endless hours spent socialising on Facebook, the film is set in Palermo in 2012, and the expectations imposed by family and society.
The film reminded me of my younger brother during his teenage years, a period often marked by misunderstanding, frustration, and uncertainty about the future. Watching Giulio, I found myself understanding not only the confusion and vulnerability of adolescence, but also the helplessness that parents sometimes experience when trying to guide a child determined to find his own path.
Monica Bellucci shows her talent wonderfully in her role as Giulio’s mother. Her performance brings fun in otherwise a dry character caught between responsibility and affection: a mother tasked with guiding her son through adolescence while often playing the role of the disciplinarian.
Then comes Ketty (played by Rachele Testagrossa), whose influence initially seems troublesome, but somehow is someone who can offer Giulio something he desperately needs: a friend who is cool but willing to listen.
Rather than presenting heroes and villains, the film approaches its characters with empathy and complexity. What stayed with me most was its refusal to judge them too quickly. More than a coming-of-age story, Ketticè is a sensitive portrait of adolescence, family, and the long, uncertain journey towards becoming oneself.
Why Festivals Matter
There were countless films screened during the festival’s ten-day run. Locarno is one of those rare places where filmmakers, writers, artists, and dreamers temporarily share the same city. During this time, I always leave with new sparks that inspire me to revisit projects that have been sitting dormant for far too long. Short films, in particular, still give me hope that one day I might direct a film of my own, even if it is only fifteen minutes long.
A Weekend in Ascona
After several days commuting between Zurich and Locarno, I spent a weekend at Giardino Ascona.
Upon check-in, I was warmly welcomed by General Manager Wolfram Merkert, who later shared an interesting piece of advice for young people entering the hospitality industry: being genuinely social and comfortable approaching guests is just as important as any technical skill.
In an era where so much of life happens behind screens, the ability to connect with people, in person, remains one of the industry’s most valuable skills.
Hospitality is, after all, a people business.
My days at the hotel usually began with a few laps in the pool before breakfast. The afternoons were reserved for Locarno. From Giardino Ascona, it was about an hour’s walk along Lake Maggiore, or a short bus ride followed by a good walk into town.
Evenings, after screenings on Piazza Grande, I often found myself sharing the evening bus back to Ascona with fellow hotel guests.
Rest and Hospitality
The retreat was both relaxing and inspiring, albeit far too short.
It was convenience to be able to sit down and collect one’s thoughts, to have a peaceful night’s sleep in the comfort of well-made essentials. HANRO cotton essentials have always been a trustful companion, not only making late evenings a little more comfortable but also early mornings more relaxed.
I did not have enough time to explore everything the hotel had to offer. I never made it to the wellness and spa area.
I did, however, enjoy dinner at ECCO, the hotel’s two-Michelin-star restaurant.
A Dinner at ECCO
ECCO delivered one of the most memorable dining experiences I have had this year.
I chose the four-course menu with the wine flight, and each dish was well paired with wines from Portugal, Italy, Spain, France, and Germany.
Sara, who has been working there for four summers, guided me through the evening with her knowledge of the wine and sources of the food. Her experience and impeccable timing, making a nearly three-hour solo dinner feel unchallenging.
Towards the end of the dinner, Sara asked me if I would like to meet the Executive Chef Reto Brändli, a thoughtful gesture that mirrored a great hospitality, making this one of the most memorable dining experience.