Zurich Film Festival Podcast

Im Rahmen der ZFF Masters findet sich unser Publikum in einem Kinosaal ein, um Talks mit Schauspielern, Regisseurinnen, Drehbuchautorinnen oder anderen Filmschaffenden zu verfolgen. In dieser Folge ist Sebastian Stan zu Gast. Internationale Bekanntheit erlangte er durch seine Rollen in der Serie GOSSIP GIRL (2007-2010) und im Film BLACK SWAN (2010). Der grosse Durchbruch gelang ihm jedoch im Jahr 2011 durch seine Rolle als Bucky Barnes alias Winter Soldier im Marvel Cinematic Universe, in dem er seit CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER (2011) in zahlreichen Filmen und Serien zu sehen war. Seine facettenreiche Darstellung des tragischen Antihelden brachte ihm nicht nur den Applaus der Kritiker, sondern auch eine treue Fangemeinde. Am 20. Zurich Film Festival präsentierte Sebastian Stan seinen neuen Film THE APPRENTICE, in dem er die Rolle des jungen Donald Trump spielt, unter der Regie von Ali Abbasi. In der ZFF-Masters-Folge spricht er unter anderem über das Eintauchen in diese Rolle.

Im Rahmen der ZFF Masters findet sich unser Publikum in einem Kinosaal ein, um Talks mit Schauspielern, Regisseurinnen, Drehbuchautorinnen oder anderen Filmschaffenden zu verfolgen. In dieser Folge ist Kate Winslet zu Gast – eine wahre Ikone des Kinos, die durch ihre Wandelbarkeit in grossen Studio-Blockbustern, aber auch in keinen Indie-Produktionen glänzt. Mit ihrem neuen Film LEE erzählt sie die Geschichte von einer der bedeutendsten Kriegsfotografinnen des 20. Jahrhunderts und zeigt sie auf ihrer Mission, die verborgenen Wahrheiten des Dritten Reichs aufzudecken. Neben der Rolle als Hauptdarstellerin ist Winslet auch als Co-Produzentin am Film beteiligt. In der ZFF-Masters-Folge spricht sie darüber, warum sie über so viele Jahre an diesem Projekt gearbeitet hat und weshalb ihr diese Rolle besonders am Herzen liegt.

In dieser Folge spricht ZFF Artistic Director Christian Jungen mit Redaktorin Vivien Sasso über seine Highlights unter den 107 Filmen des diesjährigen Programms. Er erzählt, welcher Film ihn am meisten zum Lachen gebracht hat, das grösste Diskussionspotential bietet, die schönsten Bilder auf die Leinwand bringt und den besten Soundtrack beinhaltet. Zudem verrät er dem Publikum, welches Werk ihn zu Tränen gerührt hat und welchen Film er seinem jüngeren Ich empfehlen würde. Auch die vielen Stars, die im Jubiläumsjahr 2024 am ZFF zu Gast sein werden, sind Thema. Genauso wie die Oscarverdächtigen, die es ins ZFF-Programm geschafft haben und auf ein Goldmännchen hoffen dürften.

Anmerkung der Redaktion: Pierce Brosnans Besuch am 20. ZFF wurde leider abgesagt, er wird also nicht in Zürich sein. 

One of cinema's most versatile character actresses, German-born Diane Kruger is regarded as a star both in France and Hollywood. Her international breakthrough came when she played Helen in Wolfgang Peterson's historical drama TROY (2004). She garnered numerous awards for her role as Bridget von Hammersmark in Quentin Tarantino's INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (2009) and won the Award for Best Actress at Cannes for her role in Fatih Akin's AUS DEM NICHTS (2017).

Im Mai 2024 feiert unser Artistic Director Christian Jungen sein 5-jähriges Jubiläum beim Zurich Film Festival. Im Interview mit der ZFF-Redaktorin Vivien Sasso lässt er die letzten Jahre Revue passieren, spricht über die grössten Herausforderungen und Highlights seines Berufs und erzählt von seinem Werdegang und seiner Leidenschaft fürs Kino und die Filmwelt. Zudem verrät er, was ihn antreibt und woher sein bedingungsloser Optimismus kommt, der ihn als Artistic Director auszeichnet und das ZFF von Jahr zu Jahr weiter wachsen lässt.

Mads Mikkelsen has established himself as an irresistible character actor. On one hand, through his appearances in Danish auteur films such as PUSHER by Nicolas Winding Refn, ADAM'S APPLES by Anders Thomas Jensen and THE HUNT by Thomas Vinterberg. But he has also made a name for himself in Hollywood and has inspired a wide audience - including in STAR WARS ROGUE ONE, INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY and the 007 adventure CASINO ROYALE. At the ZFF Masters, Mikkelsen presents his new film THE KING'S LAND and talks about his long career.

Unfortunately, we had some technical problems during the recording of this episode, but we don't want to withhold it from you: Ethan Hawke has achieved worldwide renown as an actor and shone with his performances across a wide variety of genres. He first attracted significant attention in Peter Weir's coming-of-age drama DEAD POETS SOCIETY (1989). He demonstrated his sense of romance and humour in BEFORE SUNRISE (1995), and displayed his action-hero prowess in TRAINING DAY. In addition to acting, Hawke pursues many other artistic activities, including as a producer, director and author. He discusses his multifaceted work as part of the ZFF Masters.

Margarethe von Trotta ist die Grande Dame des deutschen Kinos und schuf sich einen Namen als Regisseurin, Drehbuchautorin und Schauspielerin. Sie erlangte vor allem durch Rollen in Filmen von Rainer Werner Fassbinder oder Volker Schlöndorff Bekanntheit als Schauspielerin. Ab dem Ende der 1970er Jahre stand sie selbst hinter der Kamera und avancierte zu einer der renommiertesten Regisseurinnen. Zu ihren bekanntesten Filmen gehören DIE BLEIERNE ZEIT (1981), ROSA LUXEMBURG (1986) und HANNAH ARENDT (2012). Margarethe von Trotta war am 19. ZFF an einer Masters zu Gast, wo sie von ihrer langjährigen, packenden Karriere erzählte.

Der grosse #Barbenheimer Sommer, Streik in Hollywood und 150 Filme, die am ZFF liefen: Hinter uns liegt ein aufregendes Kinojahr 2023. Der ZFF Artistic Director Christian Jungen und die beiden ZFF Heads of Programme Reta Guetg und Anja Fröhner lassen die letzten Monate Revue passieren und erzählen von ihren Highlights aus der Kinowelt. Zudem lassen sie gemeinsam die Vorfreude auf die Award Season aufkommen.

Im Rahmen von «ZFF für Kinder» bietet das Zurich Film Festival unter dem Jahr mehrere Workshoptage an. In verschiedenen Kursen können Kinder von 8 bis 13 Jahren in die Filmwelt eintauchen und dabei von Profis lernen. Die ZFF-Redaktorin Vivien Sasso hat einen dieser Workshoptage besucht und die mitwirkenden Filmemacherinnen und Filmemacher interviewt. Zudem erzählt Yvonne Augustin, die beim ZFF für das Kinderprogramm zuständig ist, was diese Arbeit für sie so wertvoll und besonders macht.

Der Schweizer Erfolgsregisseur Michael Steiner war am 19. ZFF zu Gast. Er hat nicht nur seinen neusten Film EARLY BIRDS präsentiert, sondern auch mit dem ZFF Artistic Director Christian Jungen im Rahmen einer ZFF Masters über seine Karriere gesprochen. Diese ist gespickt mit grossen Erfolgen: 2006 erhielt Steiner den Schweizer Filmpreis für die Verfilmung des Jugendbuchklassikers MEIN NAME IST EUGEN und auch seine Filme SENNENTUNTSCHI, WOLKENBRUCH und UND MORGEN SEID IHR TOT feierten nebst anderen zahreiche Kinobesuche. Dank seiner innovativen Art und seinem mutigen Schaffen gehört er schon jetzt zu den besten Schweizer Regisseuren aller Zeiten und Fans von ihm dürfen sich wohl noch auf viele weitere Regiearbeiten aus Steiners Feder freuen...

Mit der Eröffnung des Kinos Frame an der Zürcher Europaallee, bekommt das Zurich Film Festival ein ganzjähriges Zuhause. Betrieben wird das Frame von der Vermarktungsfirma des ZFF, der Spoundation Motion Picture AG (SMP). Jennifer Somm ist Managing Director der SMP und erzählt in diesem Podcast, wie es dazu kam, dass das ZFF ein eigenes Kino eröffnet. Zudem verrät sie, was hinter dem Namen des Kinos steckt und worauf sich das künftige Publikum freuen darf.

Das diesjährige ZFF-Programm umfasst 148 Filme mit der Rekordzahl von 52 Welt- und Europapremieren. Jede einzelne dieser Filmperlen liegt unserem Programm-Team am Herzen, doch es gibt einige Highlights, auf die sich Artistic Director Christian Jungen besonders freut. Gemeinsam mit der ZFF-Redaktorin Vivien Sasso spricht er in dieser Podcastfolge über das Programm des 19. ZFF und verrät dabei den ein oder anderen Geheimtipp. Tauchen Sie gemeinsam mit den beiden in die Vorfreude auf das Festival ein.

The multitalented British actor and Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne shines on the world's cinema screens and theater stages. He gained fame with his role in LES MISERABLES (2012) and went on to win the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (2014); his role in THE DANISH GIRL (2015) earned him a further Oscar nomination. At the 18th ZFF, this year's Golden Eye Award winner presented his latest film THE GOOD NURSE.

She is one of the most versatile actresses in European cinema: Two-time César winner Charlotte Gainsbourg also proved her talent in international productions like JANE EYRE (1996) and I'M NOT THERE (2007). She enjoys a long-standing collaborative relationship with Lars von Trier: She received the Award for Best Actress at Cannes for ANTICHRIST (2009), followed by leading roles in MELANCHOLIA (2011) and NYMPHOMANIAC (2013). At ZFF, 2022's Golden Eye Award winner talks about her multifaceted career.

Das 18. Zurich Film Festival steht vor der Tür! Das Programm ist bekanntgegeben und die Vorbereitungen laufen auf Hochtouren. Das Führungsduo Christian Jungen und Elke Mayer verrät, welche Highlights und Neuigkeiten es in diesem Jahr am ZFF zu entdecken gibt.

Das 17. Zurich Film Festival 2021 steht vor der Tür! Das Programm ist online und der Teppich (fast) ausgerollt. Was das Führungsduo Christian Jungen und Elke Mayer eine Woche for Festivalbeginn auf Trab hält und auf was sie sich freuen, erzählen sie im neuen ZFF Podcast.

Das Programm des 16. Zurich Film Festival 2020 wurde bekanntgegeben. Dahinter stecken monatelange Arbeit und ein grosses Team von sogenannten "Programmern". Was macht eigentlich ein Festival-Programmer und wie kommen die Filme ans ZFF? Artistic Director Christian Jungen und Programmleiter Georg Bütler erzählen von ihrer Arbeit und stellen das neue Programm vor. Sie diskutieren über den Schweizer Eröffnungsfilm WANDA, MEIN WUNDER, den unermüdlichen Regisseur Rolf Lyssy, das neue französische Kino und vieles mehr.

This episode presents ‘A Conversation with’ Kristen Stewart – one of America’s most brilliant and talented young actresses. She plays the Nouvelle Vague icon Jean Seberg in her latest movie SEBERG that she presented at ZFF in 2019. In this talk you will learn more about Kristen Stewart’s acting career and how she overcame her shyness. She talks about her early work with Jodie Foster and why she loves to shoot with director Olivier Assayas.

Oliver Stone is one of the most successful filmmakers of our time. The three-time Academy Award winner is recognized for his controversial takes on recent American History with films such as PLATOON, NATURAL BORN KILLERS and SNOWDEN. His presence and his films have been part of the Zurich Film Festival over and over since 2007. In 2019 he presided the jury of the international feature film competition and presented his four part documentary series THE PUTIN INTERVIEWS. How Oliver Stone came so close to the Russian President Putin and why he thinks that there is a lack of interest with Americans in finding out the truth of political issues are just some of the many subjects that the filmmaker will discuss.

Julie Delpy can look back on a truly multifaceted career. After being discovered at the age of 14 by Jean-Luc Godard, she went on to appear in front of the camera. She is also known as the director of 2 DAYS IN PARIS. She visited the Zurich Film Festival with her latest film MY ZOE. At the ZFF Masters Julie talks openly about her humble but creative family background in France and how she came in touch with the diversity of culture like art and films very early. Considering herself to be a very outspoken person, Julie also reveals her experience with sexual harrassment in the film industry and the challenges for female filmmakers.

Javier Bardem is one of the most sought-after character actors in the business. In this ZFF Masters session the Spanish actor reveals the ambitions and challenges of shooting his latest documentary SANCTUARY and how he started to join the climate movement. He shares personal anecdotes of his work as an actor and tells us why he will never forget his first shoot with director Miloš Forman.

Das 15. Zurich Film Festival steht vor der Tür. Artistic Director Karl Spoerri und Senior Programmer Christian Jungen sprechen über das Programm, die Schwerpunkte "Grüne Welle" und "Speaking the Truth". Spoerri verrät, wie das Festival an Stargäste wie Roland Emmerich und Oliver Stone herankommt und blickt zurück auf die Anfänge, als das Feuilleton über Stars wie Sylvester Stallone das Näschen rümpfte. Jungen wollte von Spoerri auch wissen, wie er sich fit hält für die Arbeitstage von 6.30 bis 23.30 und Spoerri fragte seinen Nachfolger, was dessen Eindrücke nach 5 Monaten im Team seien.

This podcast is brought to you by the Zurich Film Festival and Variety. This episode presents a ‘ZFF Masters’ with Julian Schnabel, the artist and director of cineastic masterpieces such as ‘Basquiat’, ‘Before Night Falls’ and ‘The Diving Bell and the Butterfly’. He visited the Zurich Film Festival in 2018 and talked about his Van-Gogh-film ‘At Eternity’s Gate’ which won his lead actor Willem Dafoe an Academy Award nomination and the best actors prize in Venice. Schnabel talked about van Gogh as an inspiration and the position of artists in society.

This episode presents a 'ZFF Masters' with Johnny Depp, the Hollywood star known for the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise and auteur films such as "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and "Finding Neverland". The three times Academy Award nominee visited the Zurich Film Festival in 2018 for the world premiere of his film "Richard Says Goodbye". He talks about his career, the collaboration with director Tim Burton and he reveals why the Disney executives were scared when they saw how he played the pirate Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean".

This episode presents a ZFF Masters with Wim Wenders, the director of cult films such as ‘Paris, Texas’ and ‘Wings of Desire.’ He visited the Zurich Film Festival in 2018 and accepted the ‘A Tribute to...’-Award for his career. Wenders talks about the beginnings of his career in post-war Germany, his friendship with Swiss actor Bruno Ganz, how he shot ‘Paris, Texas’ under difficult circumstances and he reveals why he isn’t happy with the film he shot for Francis Ford Coppola’s studio Zoetrope.”

This episode presents a ‘ZFF Masters’ with Donald Sutherland, the legendary and iconic character actor known for classics such as ’M*A*S*H’ and ‘Klute’. The Canadian visited the Zurich Film Festival in 2018 and accepted the Golden Eye Lifetime Achievement Award. He talks about the wild days of New Hollywood in the 70s and shares anecdotes of his collaborations with the likes of Robert Redford, Robert Altman and John Schlesinger. He reveals that Fellini was among the most difficult directors, but that the Italian gave him priceless advice for his career.

Today’s podcast presents a „ZFF Masters“ with Glenn Close. She was a guest at the Zurich Film Festival in 2017 to receive the festival’s prestigious Golden Icon Award for having made a lasting artistic contribution to the art of cinema with films such as The Big Chill, Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons and Albert Cobbs. Close is known for doing intensive research on her film roles. From taking the script for the 1987’s film Fatal Attraction to real psychiatrists to adding phrases from the animated film „101 Dalmatians“ to the role of Cruella De Vil in the 1996’s feature film to make her even meaner. There is not a single person she can’t charm with her energy and her incredible stories. 

Today’s podcast presents a „ZFF Masters“ with non other than the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger who was at the Zurich Film Festival in 2015 to receive the prestigious Golden Icon Award. His infamous phrase „I’ll be back“ in the 1984’s cult film The Terminator is known worldwide. However, Schwarzenegger is not only known as an actor but has also made a lasting impression as a professional bodybuilder, politician, activist and businessman. During this interview he gives his audience an intimate insight into his thoughts on his generation of action heroes and also shares his political opinions on the 2016’s presidential race and today’s environmental issues. You area about to get to know Arnold Schwarzenegger in a way you never thought possible!

Today’s podcast presents a „ZFF Masters“ with Austrian film director and screenwriter Michael Haneke, an icon of Austrian cinema having made widely recognized films such as Funny Games, The White Ribbon and Amour. During this interview, he lets us in on the secrets of his infamous sequence shots and reveals his opinion on mainstream cinema and the recent increase in production values and costs in television. It is truly a joy to listen to what this fascinating director has to say. Please note that this interview is in German. 

Today’s podcast presents a „ZFF Masters“ with Czech filmmaker Milos Forman, who sadly passed away at the beginning of 2018. In the following interview, Forman shares hilarious little on-set anecdotes from improvised scenes in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest and teaching a horse to walk through a paper wall for several months in the 1984’s film Amadeus.

Today’s podcast presents a „ZFF Masters“ with Woody Harrelson who was a guest at the festival in 2016 to personally present his film LBJ. He talks about the incredibly bumpy beginning of his career in New York, from the struggles of finding an agent, to giving up and finally landing his first acting job. Harrelson shares several hilarious anecdotes and he will surely entertain you just as he did the Swiss audiences during the Zurich Film Festival.

Today’s podcast presents a „ZFF Masters“ with Hans Zimmer, one of the most famous and successful film composers in the world, having been nominated for an Academy Award an incredible 11 times. In 2014, a selection of his works was performed at the International Film Music Concert when he visited Zurich to receive the festival’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. During this interview, Zimmer talks about his close relationship to Christopher Nolan and their way of communicating with each other while working on a film. Hans Zimmer gives the audiences a fascinating insight into the incredible world of film music composing, in the most charming and humorous way. Please note that this interview is in German. 

Today’s podcast presents a „ZFF Masters“ with Danish director Susanne Bier, who gained world wide success with films such as After the Wedding in 2006 and 2010’s In A Better World. She visited the Zurich Film Festival in 2014 to preside over the International Feature Film Jury. During her „ZFF Masters“ she talks about her approach to filmmaking and the hurdles she had to overcome in a male-dominated film industry. Moreover, she discusses challenges that European filmmakers have to face in Hollywood and stuns the audiences with her intelligent and self-reflecting nature. 

Today’s podcast presents a „ZFF Masters“ with Todd Haynes, who proves himself to be a true cinephile with an unconditional passion for film history. He talks about the 1967’ film The Graduate and what a huge impact the film and its main protagonist Benjamin had on him and his work. It is such a joy to listen to Haynes, who has been a pioneering filmmaker in the New Queer cinema movement, and what he has to say about the medium of film and why today’s sheer quantity of films often hinders young people from developing a real passion for film making and film history. This is for sure an episode that will change your perception on film!

Today’s podcast presents a „ZFF Masters“ with the one and only Sylvester Stallone. He was at the festival in 2008 to receive the prestigious Golden Icon Award. Mostly known as an action hero in films such as The Expendables, Rambo and the Rocky series, in this “ZFF Masters” Stallone gives a very inspiring insight into his incredible work as a screenwriter and director and tells us why it is so important for directors to accept that a film will never be perfect.  

Today’s podcast presents a “ZFF Masters” with Daniel Radcliffe. He was a guest at the Zurich Film Festival in 2016 to personally present his two films Swiss Army Man and Imperium. Radcliffe is without a doubt the most charming person you will ever encounter. In the most humorous and cordial way, he talks about the difficulties of playing a dead person in Swiss Army Man and also reveals the huge respect he has for the theatre and the value and impact doing theatre has had on his confidence.