Busan International Film Festival presents four Swiss (co)productions

Three of the four films will be screened in the Flash Forward programme, which showcases non-Asian films by up-and-coming talents.

The German-Swiss coproduction “Marija” is the first feature-length fiction film by Swiss director Michael Koch (Hugofilm Productions, Zurich). At the heart of the film is a young Ukrainian woman who, in spite of adverse living conditions, attempts to make her dreams come true in Germany. The film celebrated its world premiere in competition at the Festival de film Locarno and was also screened at TIFF in September. World sales are with Luxbox, Paris.

“La idea de un lago” by the Argentinean-Swiss director Milagros Mumenthaler also celebrated its world premiere in competition in Locarno and was subsequently invited to the San Sebastián International Film Festival. Coproduced by Alina film in Geneva and Ruda cine in Buenos Aires, the film tells of a photographer who embarks on a personal exploration of her family’s past in Argentina.

Also screened in the Flash Forward programme is Tobias Nölle’s fiction film debut "Aloys”, starring the Austrian actor Georg Friedrich as an eccentric private detective in the leading role. The film celebrated its world premiere at the Berlinale and was produced by Hugofilm Productions. World sales are with New Europe Film Sales, Warsaw.

Screened in the Wide Angle section, which highlights experimental works, is the Italian-Swiss coproduction “Spira mirabilis” by the Italian directing duo Martina Parenti and Massimo D’Anolfi. The documentary film was coproduced by Lomotion in Bern and premiered in the international competition in Venice. The Match Factory, Cologne, acquired the World sales.

Focus on European films thanks to Opening Doors

European Film Promotion (EFP), of which SWISS FILMS is also a member, presents its Opening Doors, a programme designed to highlight European films and talents in Busan. In conjunction with this networking programme, 18 European filmmakers and actors will travel to Busan, where they have the opportunity to meet with the Asian film industry, the press and the festival audience. With the support of SWISS FILMS, Milagros Mumenthaler and Tobias Nölle will participate in Opening Doors and also present their films to the festival audience in Busan.

In addition, EFP supports the efforts of European sales agents in Asia with a European Umbrella Booth in Busan at the Asian Film Market, which runs parallel to the festival.

SWISS FILMS, September 30, 2016