Iconic Hollywood presence Lucy Liu is set to be honored with a prestigious career achievement award at Switzerland’s Locarno Film Festival. The multi-hyphenate star, recognized for her iconic roles in films like Kill Bill and Charlie’s Angels, will receive the award on August 14. As part of the celebration, Liu will also present the international premiere of Eric Lin’s Rosemead, a film in which she reinvents herself as an immigrant widow.
Liu’s career, spanning over three decades, has seen her films collectively gross over $3.7 billion worldwide. Her versatility is a hallmark, moving from breakout roles in television to major cinematic features.
In Rosemead, Liu takes on the complex role of an immigrant widow grappling with her son’s mental health challenges. Variety Chief Film Critic Peter Debruge lauded Liu’s portrayal, calling it a career-redefining performance that explodes the slinky action-figure box that Charlie’s Angels and Kill Bill built around her. Beyond her acting role, Liu also serves as a producer on the film.
Liu will launch the international premiere of Rosemead alongside the film’s cast and crew at Locarno’s massive 8,000-seat open-air Piazza Grande venue. She is also scheduled to hold an onstage conversation with festival attendees, offering insights into her diverse experiences in the industry.
Liu’s career began with her Emmy and SAG-nominated breakout role in Ally McBeal, and she has since become a pioneering force in television. Her extensive credits include standout series like Why Women Kill, Elementary, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. She has also ventured into voice work for projects like Star Wars: Visions.
Beyond acting, Liu has established herself as a multifaceted artist behind the camera. She has directed episodes of major series such as Marvel’s Luke Cage, Elementary, Why Women Kill, and American Born Chinese. As a producer, she has championed impactful projects focused on human rights, including her acclaimed documentary short Meena, which addressed human trafficking, and Freedom’s Fury and Redlight. She recently voiced and produced the Emmy-nominated VR experience The Pirate Queen, which is being expanded into a graphic novel.
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Locarno Artistic Director Giona A. Nazzaro praised Liu’s significant impact: “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.” He added, “Her fearless choices and groundbreaking performances continue to inspire audiences and redefine what it means to be an artist in the 21st century.”
Liu is also a celebrated visual artist, with her mixed-media paintings and sculptures exhibited globally. She became only the second Asian American woman in nearly 60 years to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For over two decades, she has served as a UNICEF Ambassador, earning accolades for her humanitarian efforts.
The 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival is set to run from August 6-16.
