Los Angeles [US] : Celebrated actor and martial arts icon Jackie Chan will be honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, organisers announced.
The festival, renowned for celebrating independent cinema, praised Chan for his pivotal role in shaping Hong Kong action films and successfully bridging Eastern and Western film industries. “Beloved for action films that bridged the gap between East and West,” the festival noted, Chan has left an indelible mark on global cinema.
Now 71, Chan rose to fame with his unique blend of martial arts and slapstick comedy in Hong Kong cinema before gaining international recognition. His breakout in Hollywood came with Rumble in the Bronx (1995), followed by massive success in the Rush Hour series alongside Chris Tucker.
At Locarno, Chan will personally present two of his seminal works — Project A (1983) and Police Story (1985) — both of which he directed and starred in. He will also participate in an onstage conversation on August 10, offering fans a rare glimpse into his multifaceted career.
“Director, producer, actor, screenwriter, choreographer, singer, athlete, and daredevil stuntman — Jackie Chan is both a key figure in contemporary Asian cinema and one whose influence has rewritten the rules of Hollywood cinema,” said Locarno Artistic Director Giona A. Nazzaro in a statement.
Chan previously received an honorary Academy Award in 2017 in recognition of his remarkable achievements in film over a decades-long career.