Futurespectives

Sociologist and writer Aris Komporozos-Athanasiou's research spans social and political theory, political and economic sociology, and studies about social movements. Talking to Futurespectives host Gabby Sanderson, Aris examines the sociological lens and its imagination, the current radical uncertainty that dominates life, and the rise of speculative communities. Aris also discusses the attention economy and how that relates to film, sharing his observations in the distorted use of social media and in politics, and highlights the important role art plays in offering people more hopeful narratives to inspire them and improve lives in general. Aris' latest book 'Speculative Communities: Living with Uncertainty in a Financialized World' is out now.

Director, Writer, Producer, Head of the Locarno Filmmakers Academy and Project Manager of Basecamp Stefano Knuchel has lived an extraordinary life and he's not slowing down! The self-taught director talks to Futurespectives host Gabby Sanderson about some of his incredible life adventures and how that is reflected in his films. Stefano also shares stories of a young Penélope Cruz and Spike Lee finding their way in Locarno, what it was like to grow up with a father who was a conman, and his hopes for the bright young creatives who take part in the Locarno Film Festival.

Acclaimed Palestinian artist, film director and producer Kamal Aljafari talks with Futurespectives host Gabby Sanderson about interweaving fiction, non-fiction, and contemporary art in his work. In this conversation Kamal talks about the psychological strangeness of being an immigrant in the country you were born, his research into reinventing archival images for film and why art is all about sharing what’s inside you in a way that is felt by the audience.

Xiaolu Guo talks about being an immigrant in London and how she faced cultural difficulties head on and channelled them into her writing and filmmaking. The Chinese-born British novelist, memoirist and filmmaker has experienced a fascinating life growing up in a rural coastal town in the Chinese province of Zhejiang, to transitioning to a very different life in the UK. Xiaolu also shares with Futurespectives host Gabby Sanderson the challenges of existing in both the Western and Chinese worlds and how some of her films and books have opened viewer’s eyes to the perspectives of Chinese characters.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson likes to keep his private life private. However, in this intimate conversation with Futurespectives host Gabby Sanderson, Aaron opens up about why he feels much more comfortable playing a character than being himself in front of an audience. Aaron also shares why his role as a dad and a husband is his first priority, the joy of working with Brad Pitt and Russell Crowe in the same year, and how he and wife Sam became friends with Paul McCartney.