Locarno Film Festival Artistic Director Giona A. Nazzaro introduced veteran horror and fantasy director and screenwriter Lamberto Bava with the declaration, “He needs no introduction. He is the great Lamberto Bava.” The filmmaker is in Switzerland to receive the Festival’s Special Career Achievement Award (Pardo speciale alla carriera).
Shortly after, the 81-year-old Bava, appearing playful and eager to converse, approached journalists. With a sly smile, he quipped about the accolade: “I still don’t know if I deserve this award. Perhaps I’ll return it.” When someone jokingly suggested selling it, he retorted, “No, never that.”
Speaking on camera, Bava reflected on cherished projects and unrealized ambitions. “I’m clearly attached to ‘Demons,’ ‘Fantaghirò’ for television, and ‘Ghost Son,’ the last significant film I made for cinema,” said the son of legendary director Mario Bava. “However, there’s something I never managed to bring to the screen,” he continued. “It started very well; it was called ‘Gnomi’ (Gnomes). It was about to begin but never happened. I regret not making it because, even many years ago, it said what we all think today.” The script, penned by Roberto Gandus in the 1980s, depicted gnomes taking revenge on humanity for disrespecting nature – a concept Bava notes is now widely embraced. When asked if he’d revisit the project, Bava stated, “No, I don’t think so. At least, I wouldn’t.”
Bava is currently focused on new creative outlets. “I’m writing a lot of things. Books, novellas, short stories. I recently published a book,” he shared. The book, titled ‘Demoni. La rinascita’ (Demons. The Rebirth) for Cut-Up Publishing, reimagines the demons that brought him success exactly forty years ago invading the contemporary world through digital media, virtual reality, and social platforms. He views books as a significantly more economical way to tell stories, particularly relevant given his view that film budgets are “no longer what they used to be.” “Anyway, at my age, this is fine. But you never know, I’m always here,” Bava concluded with a laugh.