Jackie Chan just reminded everyone why heâs still one of the most beloved figures in cinema. Just one day after accepting a prestigious award at the 2025 Locarno Film Festival, the actor delivered a simple truth that cuts through Hollywood noise: audiences donât care about the chaos behind the scenes; they just want a great movie. And honestly? Heâs not wrong.
What Really Matters on Screen
During a panel on stage, Chan spoke to a huge crowd of fans with the kind of directness you canât fake. âThe audience doesnât know about the rain or the producer, or that the budget was cut. They just want a good movie,â he said, per Variety, adding, âI always remember that, so I try to make every scene perfect.â Itâs the kind of philosophy that explains why his work (from high-octane action to heartfelt comedies) has stood the test of time.
He also got a little nostalgic, admitting, âI think old movies were better than [what we have] today. Now, these big studios, they are not filmmakers â they are business guys. Itâs very difficult to make a good movie these days.â It wasnât bitter⦠it was honest. And weâre convinced fans would have agreed with him. Big budgets and box-office tracking might rule the boardroom, but Chanâs reminding us that craftsmanship is what wins the audience.
A Career Worth Celebrating
The Locarno Film Festival, in partnership with Ascona-Locarno Tourism, honored Chan with the Pardo alla Carriera Award (a.k.a. the Leopard of Honour Award), a career-spanning recognition for artists whose work has âredefined cinema and the collective imagination.â In plain terms? They know a legend when they see one.
From his jaw-dropping stunts to the comedic timing nobody else can quite replicate, Chanâs career has inspired generations of filmmakers and fans alike. And even at 71, heâs still chasing perfection, still finding ways to connect with audiences around the world. âThatâs why I went back to Hong Kong to make âPolice Story.â Sometimes, you canât just tell people things. You have to prove them,â he said (Variety). Yep, thatâs classic Jackie… letting his work do the talking.
His comments werenât just about the state of the industry. They sound like a solid challenge to all filmmakers: focus on making something worth watching, not just worth selling. Thatâs a message every movie lover can get behind.
So yes, Jackie Chan has an award shaped like a leopard now. But more importantly, heâs still out here fighting for the kind of movies we actually want to see.
The post Jackie Chan Gives No-Nonsense Advice to Filmmakers at 2025 Locarno Film Festival appeared first on EntertainmentNow.