Jackie Chan Receives Career Leopard award “I Am 71. I Still Can Fight”

(THR) Hong Kong and global film icon Jackie Chan got a rapturous reception at the 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland on Saturday evening as he was honored with the Pardo alla Carriera, or Career Leopard award, on the Swiss town’s Piazza Grande square.

“Buona sera,” Chan said, showing off his Italian skills with a wave the second he hit the stage. When he received the award, he pointed out that it was “very, very heavy.”

He then said: “[I am] just so happy and so honored to be here.” He continued with a thank-you to Locarno and the crowd “for giving me this sweet award” and thanked all directors and stars around the world who have “made me look good.” And he particularly thanked the Jackie Chan fans around the globe, noting: “Because of you, I am standing here.”

Chan recalled how his father once asked him if he would still be able to fight at age 60. ”I am 71. I still can fight,” the star said to the delight of the crowd. “Also, this year I’m in the film industry for 64 years.”

On the red carpet, Chan also treated his fans to waves, big smiles, a kiss for a camera and even a martial arts stance. Before he hit the stage, a sizzle reel showcased some of Chan’s signature martial arts, stunt and comedy skills.

Locarno attendees and locals alike had already been buzzing about Chan sightings the day before, with reports of many people snapping photos of the star via their phones. As part of a tribute to his career, Chan also came to Locarno to introduce his films Project A (1983) and Police Story (1985), on both of which he worked as star and director.

Locarno organizers lauded Chan as an “Asian megastar, master filmmaker, and Hollywood mainstay beloved for action films that bridged the gap between East and West,” adding that he has “for almost 60 years been one of the world’s most recognizable faces.”

The Pardo alla Carriera is handed out with the support of Ascona-Locarno Tourism, the destination partner of the Locarno festival.

Previous honorees include Francesco Rosi, Bruno Ganz, Claudia Cardinale, Johnnie To, Harry Belafonte, Mario Adorf, Jane Birkin, Costa-Gavras, Tsai Ming-liang and, last year, Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan.