Locarno Opens With ‘Bullet Train’, Surprise Brad Pitt Virtual Appearance & Aaron Taylor-Johnson Tribute

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Locarno kicked off its latest edition on Wednesday evening with the international festival premiere of David Leitch’s latest action-comedy Bullet Train and a surprise video call from Brad Pitt to celebrate the event’s 75th anniversary.The packed opening night celebration in Locarno’s famed Piazza Grande square was a return to form for the festival after a full cancellation in 2020 and a slimmed-down version last year.Bullet Train received hearty applause and cheers from festivalgoers as the screening was introduced with a surprise video call from the movie’s star Brad Pitt.“Congratulations to the whole festival crew on your 75th anniversary.

It’s a fantastic achievement and what an honor it is for us to be a part of this festival with our movie Bullet Train,” he said.Pitt stars as an experienced assassin whose first day back at work is complicated by a series of other professional killers with a similar mission.

Sandra Bullock, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, and Michael Shannon also star.Ahead of the Bullet Train screening, co-star Taylor-Johnson was presented with the festival’s Davide Campari Excellence Award.In a lengthy acceptance speech, Taylor-Johnson thanked his many collaborators and co-stars and discussed how he has cultivated his career outside of traditional ideas of stardom.He said: “I genuinely don’t follow my career outside my world view.

I’m in my own little bubble with my wife and daughters. In fact, sometimes people ask me what I do, and I say I’m a dad and I do acting on the side, part-time.”The opening night also saw the launch of the festival’s new Postcards from the Future series featuring a collection of short films made by eleven Swiss and international filmmakers.