Full Breakdown
James Gray Honored at Locarno Film Festival as He Debuts “Paper Tiger”
8/9/2026, 8:29:33 PM
Event Overview
James Gray received an honorary award at the Locarno Film Festival ahead of the Swiss premiere of his new film Paper Tiger. The ceremony took place on the festival’s iconic Piazza Grande, where the movie was shown to an audience of roughly 8,000 people. The festival runs through August 15.
Gray’s Perspective on Cinema
In his press remarks, Gray likened movies to a collective dream, noting that the average REM-sleep period lasts only one and a half to two hours. He pointed out that the first full-length sound film appeared in 1928 and argued that cinema has progressed far more quickly than other art forms such as music or visual painting, which required centuries to develop their major conventions. For Gray, film functions as a clear window into another person’s consciousness.
Directorial Approach to Acting
Gray described his work with the cast—Adam Driver, Miles Teller and Scarlett Johansson, who play brothers caught up with the Russian mafia—as centered on actor comfort and creative freedom. He lets performers suggest what feels natural on set, then aligns those choices with his visual plan. Rehearsals are filmed to capture “messiness,” and Gray emphasizes that the quality of the performance depends on the actors’ talent rather than a prescriptive directing style.
Festival Programming Highlights
Locarno paired the new screening with retrospectives of Gray’s earlier films We Own the Night (2007) and Two Lovers (2008). The director is also slated to give a masterclass on the Monday following the premiere, underscoring the festival’s blend of contemporary releases and career-spanning showcases.
What’s Next
Gray will remain in Locarno for the masterclass and continue promoting Paper Tiger during the remainder of the festival, which concludes on August 15.
