Lucy Liu to Receive Career Award at Locarno Where She Will Launch International ‘Rosemead’ Premiere

Lucy Liu will be honored with a career achievement award at Switzerland’s Locarno Film Festival where the U.S. multi-hyphenate known for iconic roles in “Kill Bill” and “Charlie’ s Angels” will present the international premiere of Eric Lin’s “Rosemead.”

In “Rosemead,” which just premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, Liu reinvents herself as an immigrant widow in private turmoil over how best to deal with her son’s mental health issues, as Variety Chief Film Critic Peter Debruge puts it in his review. Debruge praised the film for Liu’s “career-redefining performance” that “explodes the slinky action-figure box that “Charlie’s Angels” and “Kill Bill” built around her.”

Liu’s career began with her breakout role in “Ally McBeal” that earned her both Emmy and SAG nominations. Her subsequent credits include standout TV series like “Why Women Kill,” “Elementary,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Star Wars: Visions,” and “A Man in Full.” Besides acting, Liu is a multifaceted artist who has directed episodes of Marvel’ s “Luke Cage,” “Elementary,” “Why Women Kill,” and “American Born Chinese,” while also receiving acclaim for her documentary short Meena that tackled human trafficking. As a producer, she has championed impactful projects such as “Freedom’ s Fury” and “Redlight,” and recently voiced and produced Emmy-nominated VR experience “The Pirate Queen” which is expanding into a graphic novel.

Liu will launch the international premiere of “Rosemead” with the film’s cast and crew in tow on Locarno’s 8,000 seat open-air Piazza Grande venue on Aug. 14 and also hold an onstage conversation at the fest which is Europe’s preeminent indie film event.

“Lucy Liu’s influence on both film and television is immeasurable. A master of reinvention, she has consistently delivered powerful performances that challenge the status quo,” said Locarno Artistic Director Giona A. Nazzaro in a statement.

“It is a true privilege to host Lucy Liu on the Piazza Grande and to present a project as intimate and transformative as ‘Rosemead’ – a testament to her ever-evolving artistry. Her fearless choices and groundbreaking performances continue to inspire audiences and redefine what it means to be an artist in the 21st century,” he added.

The 78th edition of Locarno will run Aug. 6-16.