Asia Argento receives lifetime achievement award at Locarno

The 79th Locarno Film Festival honored Italian actress and director Asia Argento with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The recognition included a screening of ‘La Muerte No Tiene Dueño’.

During an emotional acceptance speech, Argento described cinema as a ‘vital sanctuary’ and reflected on her career, citing the influence of her father, Dario Argento, and filmmaker Abel Ferrara. She noted that Ferrara taught her to prioritize the relationship with the camera over her own ego. Argento spoke candidly about her personal journey and perceived social maladjustment, stating that the award felt like a sign that her work had meaning after periods of feeling as though she had failed.

Argento described the moment as a profound validation, stating it felt as though the universe was telling her, ‘You are not wrong, you are good as you are.’ She shared that her father called to offer congratulations, telling her, ‘When you engage, you are good.’ The actress, who has been a prominent figure in the #MeToo movement, emphasized how film provided her with a sense of belonging and a way to connect with the world.