Keyvisual of the ZFF shows masculinity in all its facets

More and more frequently, classic gender roles are becoming blurred. What would have caused much outcry a few years ago is now part of everyday life in public: men with painted fingernails, men wearing androgynous clothing, men with pearl necklaces around their necks. While well-known artists such as Harry Styles, Jared Leto or Timothée Chalamet are flirting with this and enjoying great popularity, especially among younger audiences, films such as "Top Gun: Maverick" with Tom Cruise or "Ticket To Paradise" with George Clooney, which fall back on traditional images of masculinity, are celebrating great success.

"There is currently a real culture war raging around masculinity, as evidenced, for example, by the inflationary use of the term 'toxic masculinity'" says Artistic Director Christian Jungen. "We are showing around a dozen films that represent very different types of masculinity and thus want to stimulate a debate about the role and self-image of men in the 21st century." In the Hashtag #Masculinity section, the 19th Zurich Film Festival will show selected films that highlight the tensions that define men today.

This includes the key visual of this year's ZFF with Burak Ates, a 28-year-old Swiss actor from Solothurn. He played the lead role in the film "Beyto"which premiered at the Zurich Film Festival 2020. With Ates as its key visual, the film festival wants to highlight the importance of promoting young talent. He is also staged to match the hashtag #Masculinity - with painted nails, jewelry and bright colors.

INTERVIEW

"'Beyto' has made me braver".

Burak Ates is the face of this year's ZFF campaign. In the interview, Burak Ates remembers his first ZFF appearance, talks about our #masculinity this year and tells us how "Beyto" has changed his life.

Burak Ates, you are the campaign face of ZFF this year. What does that mean for you?

Burak Ates: It's a very nice feeling. It all started three years ago at ZFF. We were there in 2020 with the film "Beyto" - and now to be able to be at ZFF again, especially as the campaign face, that's nice.

Is there anything you particularly remember about ZFF 2020?

It was indescribably beautiful to stand on a big stage for the first time and to play in a film, especially as the leading actor. It was a difficult role, but one that I enjoyed playing.

This year, ZFF is showing films in a section on the theme #masculinity. What do you associate with masculinity?

Above all, courage. Society has changed in recent years, and so have men. They do things that are not included in the classic image of masculinity, they are no longer so strictly "in line". I myself, for example, love to cook and knit. I've rediscovered knitting for myself. And on the side, I watch movies or listen to audio books. In the past, that wasn't necessarily "manly. But now "being a man" is taking place in many more areas. I think that's beautiful and courageous.

Beyto" is also about courage. You play the lead role: a homosexual man who has problems with his family because of his sexuality. Did you learn anything new through the role?

"Beyto was a turning point in my life. Beyto had to make a decision: Either love or his family. And I had to make a decision as well: To live my dream with acting or to follow a more classical career path. Beyto made me braver and I still have him with me. In times when things are going badly and I'm losing hope, he still sometimes tells me: "Buri, this is the right thing to do. Listen to your heart. Now move on."

Since "Beyto," you've focused on acting. Why is that your dream?

Becoming an actor was my childhood dream. At the latest after the appearance in "Beyto" and at ZFF, I can't imagine doing anything else. In the last few years, I've been able to experience a lot and gain a lot of experience. That has also brought me a lot further as a person. I always get sentimental when I think about it. I'm looking forward to the future and hope that I can still work a lot in Switzerland, because I find Swiss film enormously exciting.

ZFF 2023 starts on September 28. What are you most looking forward to?

I love being at Sechseläutenplatz and am always excited when the festival center is set up. I'm looking forward to the Green Carpet, great parties, cool people and the films of course! You meet there and you can talk about films... that's the best part. The ZFF is really a super thing.

Responsible at ZFF: Alessandro Monsurrò, Deborah Marzo, Kaja Eggenschwiler, Vivien Sasso, Ann Moser and Maike Müller Photo: Lea Meienberg with support from Sandra Gadient Hair & Make up: Letizia Abbatiello, Make it up Agency Styling: Donjeta Selmanaj, Jelmoli Video: Blackframe