On Saturday evening, the esteemed Hong Kong and global film legend, Jackie Chan, was met with thunderous applause at the prestigious 78th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. Honored with the esteemed Pardo alla Carriera, or Career Leopard award, Chan received a rousing welcome on the picturesque Piazza Grande square of the Swiss town.
"Buona sera," Chan greeted, flashing a wave and showcasing his Italian prowess upon stepping onto the stage. As he held aloft the accolade, he quipped, "This is very, very heavy," before expressing his heartfelt joy and honor at being present. He extended his gratitude to Locarno and the audience "for bestowing upon me this delightful honor," and acknowledged directors and stars worldwide who have "elevated my presence on screen." With particular fondness, he thanked his fans across the globe, stating, "It is because of you that I stand here today."
Chan reminisced about a conversation with his father, who once wondered if he would still be capable of fighting at the age of 60. "I am 71, and I still can fight," the star proclaimed to the delight of the crowd. "Moreover, this year marks my 64th year in the film industry."
Before posing for photographs on stage, Chan concluded with a heartfelt wish for a unified world, uttering the words, "Love and peace. Love you all! Ti amo!" He added kissing sounds for emphasis.
Even after the ceremony, the echoes of fans screaming "Jackie!" lingered in the vicinity of the Piazza Grande. Prior to Chan's grand entrance onto the stage of the vast central square, fans were already donning Jackie Chan T-shirts and carrying signs emblazoned with "I Love Jackie Chan." When the big screen displayed an image of Chan, clad in a short-sleeved shirt, snapping pictures from a balcony overlooking the square, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause.
As the screen shifted to the first glimpses of Chan stepping onto the red carpet in different attire, clutching two adorable stuffed panda bears, the excitement among the spectators reached a fever pitch. A group of fans, clad in matching red Jackie Chan T-shirts, even initiated a rhythmic chant of "Jackie! Jackie!"
On the red carpet, Chan greeted his fans with waves, broad smiles, a kiss blown to a camera, and even adopting a martial arts stance. Prior to his stage appearance, a mesmerizing montage showcased Chan's signature martial arts, stunt, and comedy prowess.
Locarno attendees and locals alike had buzzed with excitement about Chan's sightings the previous day, with numerous reports of people snapping photos of the star on their phones. As part of a tribute to his illustrious career, Chan also visited Locarno to introduce his films, "Project A" (1983) and "Police Story" (1985), both of which he starred in and directed.
"As a Hong Kong cinema enthusiast – I've authored three books on Hong Kong cinema – Jackie Chan is a dream come true," Locarno artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro recently shared with THR.
Locarno organizers lauded Chan as an "Asian megastar, a master filmmaker, and a Hollywood staple beloved for his action films that bridged the gap between East and West." They further added that for nearly 60 years, he has been one of the world's most recognizable faces.
Nazzaro emphasized, "Director, producer, actor, screenwriter, choreographer, singer, athlete, and daring stuntman, Jackie Chan is not only a pivotal figure in contemporary Asian cinema but also one whose influence has revolutionized the rules of Hollywood cinema. From his years at the China Drama Academy under Master Yu Jim-Yuen, working as a stuntman at a young age in King Hu's masterpiece 'A Touch of Zen,' Chan has continually reinvented martial arts cinema and beyond."
The Pardo alla Carriera award was presented with the support of Ascona-Locarno Tourism, the destination partner of the Locarno festival. Previous recipients include Francesco Rosi, Bruno Ganz, Claudia Cardinale, Johnnie To, Harry Belafonte, Mario Adorf, Jane Birkin, Costa-Gavras, Tsai Ming-liang, and last year, Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan.
