Cannes 2018: CHRIS THE SWISS and SCHÄCHER in the Critics’ Week, and three Swiss coproductions in competition

Anja Kofmel’s first feature-length animated documentary film, CHRIS THE SWISS, produced by Dschoint Ventschr Filmproduktion, has been selected for screening in the esteemed Critics’ Week section. Kofmel‘s film revolves around her cousin Chris who was found dead under mysterious circumstances, wearing the uniform of an international mercenary force in Croatia in 1992. Kofmel, who studied Animation at the Lucerne School of Art and Design (HSLU), had already addressed this subject matter in her short film CHRIGI (2009), which was screened at numerous international festivals.

Directing talent Flurin Giger with short film in Cannes

The young filmmaker Flurin Giger will also present his second short film SCHÄCHER, which he realised together with his brother Silvan Giger (Giger Brothers Studio) in the Critics’ Week section. His first short film RUAH (2016) celebrated its world premiere at the renowned film festival in Venice. The 22-year-old filmmaker from the Grisons studied Drama at the EFAS in Zurich and has performed in various roles in films for Swiss television and cinema.

Three Swiss coproductions in competition

The Italian-French-Swiss-German coproduction HAPPY AS LAZZARO by Alice Rohrwacher, coproduced by Tiziana Soudani’s production company, Amka Films Productions, will be screened in the festival’s main competition in Cannes. Rohrwacher‘s debut film CORPO CELESTE (2011) premiered in Cannes in the Directors’ Fortnight section; her second film THE WONDERS (2014) was also screened in competition in Cannes and was honoured with the Grand Prix. Both films were also coproduced by Amka Films Productions.

Jean-Luc Godard’s film LE LIVRE D’IMAGE, produced by Fabrice Aragno (Casa Azul Films), will also celebrate its world premiere in competition in Cannes. Godard is a habitué in Cannes and has already presented many of his films at the film festival. He was present four years ago with ADIEU AU LANGAGE (2014) in competition and as one of the directors of the episode film BRIDGES OF SARAJEVO (2014) in the Speical Screenings programme.

KNIFE + HEART, the second feature film of french director Yann Gonzalez (Garidi Films) is also selected for the Competition. Gonzalez has already presented several of his film in Cannes, such as his short films BY THE KISS (2006), ENTRACTE (2007) and JE VOUS HAIS PETITES FILLES (2008) at the Director's Fortnight as well as LES ASTRES NOIRS (2009) and his first feature film YOU AND THE NIGHT (2013) at the Critics' Week.

In addition, two films with Swiss participation will be screened in the Speical Screenings programme: POPE FRANCIS – A MAN OF HIS WORDS by Wim Wenders, coproduced by Célestes Images in Lugano; and the eight-hour film LES ÂMES MORTES by the Chinese filmmaker Wang Bing, coproduced by ADOK Films in Geneva.

Producer Dan Wechsler with two films in official programme

The Genevan producer Dan Wechsler participated with his firm Bord Cadre Films in two films of the official programme in Cannes: LES FILLES DU SOLEIL by Eva Husson (Competition) and THE HARVESTERS by Etienne Kallos (Un Certain Regard) as well as in BIRDS OF PASSAGE by Ciro Guerra & Cristina Gallego (Directors' Fortnight). Wechsler currently ranks among the best internationally networked Swiss producers and has coproduced numerous award-winning films in recent years: for example, Samuel Maoz’s FOXTROT, which is presently running in Swiss cinemas, or DAUGHTER OF MINE, which premiered at this year’s Berlinale.

Ursula Meier chairs Caméra d’Or jury

The internationally acclaimed Swiss filmmaker Ursula Meier will preside over the jury for the Caméra d’Or. Together with six personages from the international film industry, she will present the award to the best first film in Cannes.

Internationally, Meier has made a name for herself with her award-winning films HOME (2008) and SISTER (2012). HOME was screened in the Critics’ Week; SISTER was honoured with, among others, the Silver Bear in Berlin. Both films were honoured with several Swiss Film Awards. Meier was in Cannes the last time with LES PONTS DE SARAJEVO in 2014. Her film ONDES DE CHOC: JOURNAL DE MA TÊTE was screened at this year’s Berlinale and designated one of the ten best films at the Berlinale 2018 by Variety, the industry magazine.

SWISS FILMS in Cannes 2018

The 71^st Film Festival de Cannes takes place from May 8-19, 2018. On behalf of the Federal Office of Culture, SWISS FILMS, the international promotion agency for Swiss filmmaking, will be present at the Marché du Film in Cannes with the Pavilion Suisse, which was honoured with the Pavilion Design Award last year.

SWISS FILMS, April 16, 2018, update April 17