Jude Law at the opening of the Zurich Film Festival: The report

It’s almost a tradition: in recent years, some kind of scandal has always occurred just in time for the opening of the Zurich Film Festival. In 2022, a slightly misguided and silly cancel culture debate broke out about the children’s film “The Young Chief Winnetou”. It wasn’t canceled anywhere.

Last year, the focus was on the Läderach scandal. An SRF documentary discussed child abuse at the evangelical schools that former company boss Jürg Läderach co-founded. After the broadcast, the ZFF remained firmly at Läderach’s side. A few days later the partnership was abruptly ended.

Threats against the festival that should be taken seriously

Well, on the 20th anniversary of the festival comes the biggest chunk for now: “Russians at War”. The war documentary about Russian soldiers at the front, which was heavily criticized by the Ukrainian side, should first be shown publicly. Like in Venice and – already with restrictions – in Toronto. A shitstorm against the ZFF immediately followed on social media.

Last week there was another change: due to security concerns, the performances of “Russians at War” had to be canceled. In fact, there were serious threats against the festival and its team. If there were actually people close to the Ukrainian side behind this, such actions would have done their cause a disservice.

In contrast to the Indian chief Winnetou, the “Russians at War” case actually falls under “cancelled”. It is a missed opportunity for dialogue, as was planned with a panel discussion to which, in addition to the Ukrainian representation, the Russian-Canadian director Anastasia Trofimova was invited. But also to clarify: Anyone who is of the opinion that the documentary is flawless Putin propaganda could have demonstrated this using publicly viewable footage. So there was mostly noise from rioters who hadn’t even seen the film.

From unloved child to lighthouse

But at the opening ceremony there was little sign of this tragedy. The topic of “Russians at War” was avoided as much as possible. There was also no sign of any protest actions. Instead, the ZFF anniversary and its history were celebrated. Like Federal Councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, festival director Christian Jungs also reminisced about the beginnings of the festival in 2005: Back then, the ZFF was an unloved child.

Today, however, one is among the cultural lighthouses of Zurich. Junge quoted the Guardian: “The trendy teenager at the film festivals.” The mayor of Zurich, Corine Mauch, once again demonstrated her refreshing sense of humor with a sketch-like speech in the third person (“the most original speech she has ever given”).

So the ZFF is where it wants to be: with radiant splendor and glamour. And no one embodied that better than Jude Law that evening. Cheered by many fans, the British star walked across the green carpet and patiently answered questions. The 51-year-old then accepted a Golden Eye. In his short words of thanks, Law remained modest: “Like many actors, I’m not good without a script.”

The opening film, the political thriller “The Order”, which is based on real events, proved that the charming beau (“The Talented Mr. Ripley”, “Sherlock Holmes”) can also get his hands dirty and act more rocky. At this point, all “Law and Order” puns that were used by various Zurich media should be ignored.

A bridge to the political present

Law plays FBI agent Terry Husk. A lone wolf whose best days are over. He is a little more inclined to work than to alcohol, which has alienated him from his wife and two daughters. A washed-up man who has lost the respect and patience of his family? One is reminded of Nicolas Cage in last year’s opening film “Dream Scenario”.

In 1983, in Washington state, on the Pacific coast, Husk uncovers a conspiracy whose roots the local sheriff’s office doesn’t dare get to: leaflets calling on the “white race” to resist, bombs on synagogues, bank robberies. The agent with a penchant for choleric outbursts reveals that a group of white supremacy supporters is behind the crimes. They want to carry out the coup with terrorist attacks.

“The Order” is an entertaining, solid thriller that has the potential to be a great one, especially because of its raw visual qualities. But the Australian director Justin Kurzel reels off the story a bit too routinely and doesn’t tell everything with the required depth. One thing is clear: the Wild West, when taking the law into one’s own hands became a self-declared duty, is not finally over in the USA even 100 years later.

In this way, the film builds an important bridge to the present in the American election year, to the storming of the Capitol and the racist “Proud Boys”. By the way, the ZFF is also showing the promising documentary “Homegrown” about the militia of fanatical Trump fans.