Swiss films in Locarno

As in Basil Da Cunha’s previous films, MANGA D'TERRA  (Produktion Akka Films) is set in the Creole district of Lisbon. This is already Da Cunha’s second film screened in the International Competition, following  O FIM DO MUNDO (2019)The documentary film NUIT OBSCURE – AU REVOIR ICI, N'IMPORTE OÙ by French director Sylvain George, a minority coproduction by Alina film, Geneva, will also be screened in the International Competition.

Barbet Schroeder’s artist portrait RICARDO ET LA PEINTURE (Bande à part Films) will be screened out of competition. Dan Wechsler and Laurent Nègre at Bord Cadre films, Geneva, coproduced two works screened in competition: DO NOT EXPECT TOO MUCH FROM THE END OF THE WORLD by Rumanian director Radu Jude and ESSENTIAL TRUTHS OF THE LAKE by Philippine director Lav Diaz.

Both current and classic on the Piazza Grande

Celebrating its world premiere on the Piazza Grande is the French-Swiss coproduction LA VOIE ROYALE by Frédéric Mermoud (coproduction: Bande à part Films). Mermoud was honoured with the Variety Piazza Grande Award in 2016 for his feature film MOKA, which was also screened on the Piazza Grande.

Also presented on the gigantic open-air screen is Daniel Schmid’s digitally restored 1974 classic LA PALOMA, starring Ingrid Cavegn in the leading role and featuring the work of renowned Swiss cinematographer Renato Berta.

Two Swiss world premieres in Cineasti del presente

Two feature films from Switzerland have been selected to compete in the Cineasti del presente: RIVIÈRE, Hugues Hariche’s debut film (Beauvoir Films), as well as the German-Swiss film UND DASS MAN OHNE TÄUSCHUNG ZU LEBEN VERMAG by Berlin-based Swiss director Katharina Lüdin, coproduced by Contrast Film.

In the Semaine de la critique, the Swiss documentary film PRISONERS OF FATE (Sora Film) will also celebrate its world premiere. Director Mehdi Sahebi has accompanied Afghan and Iranian refugees for several years since their arrival in Switzerland.

The latest Swiss short film productions in Pardi di domani

The documentary short film BEEN THERE by Corina Schwingruber Ilić (Freihändler Filmproduktion) will be screened in the International Competition Corti d’autore. Like in her successful festival film ALL INCLUSIVE, the director addresses the absurdities of modern tourism.

Nine Swiss short film productions will be screened in the National Competition of Pardi di domani. Among them are animation films like CANARD by Elie Chapuis, fiction films like NIGHT SHIFT SHIFT by Kayije Kagame and Hugo Radi, documentary films like EVER SINCE, I HAVE BEEN FLYING by Aylin Gökmen and experimental films like ALEXX196 & LA PLAGE DE SABLE ROSE by Loïc Hobi.

As a special event, Pardi di domani will present FIND A FILM! This joint project by international up-and-coming talent includes three filmmakers from Switzerland: Coline Confort, Ambra Guidotti and Jumana Issa.

A current review in Panorama Suisse

Ten feature-length documentary or fiction film productions as well as three short film productions will be showcased in Panorama Suisse, presented by the Solothurn Film Festival, the Swiss Film Academy and SWISS FILMS.

Restored Swiss films will be presented in the Histoire(s) du cinéma programme with TAMARO. PIETRE E ANGELI by Villi Hermann (1998), SI LE SOLEIL NE REVENAIT PAS by Claude Goretta (1987) and WAALO FENDO (LÀ OÙ LA TERRE GÈLE) by Mohammed Soudani. The Algerian-Swiss director will also be honoured with the Premio Ticino Cinema.

Swiss projects at Locarno Pro

As part of Locarno Pro, the Alliance 4 Development a co-development platform for film projects from Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland, will present the following four Swiss projects: LA PASSION D’ALINE (director: Rokhaya Marieme Balde; producers: Linda Vogel, Cyril Schäublin, Chantal Scheiner (Seeland Filmproduktion), TO PUT OUT ONE FIRE, director Jela Hasler, producer: Olivier Zobrist, Langfilm), WHO/MAN (director: Lorenz Merz, producer: Michela Pini, 8horses) and PAS TA MAMAN, a German production by Swiss director Michèle Flury.

Swiss director and screenwriter Marina Klauser was selected for the Locarno Filmmakers Academy talent programme.

SWISS FILMS industry activities

In partnership with Locarno Pro, the promotion agency has organized the SWISS FILMS Previews. Five current Swiss film projects shortly before release are pitched by directors and producers to an exclusive international industry audience.

SWISS FILMS supports the international launch of Swiss film productions in the festival programme on behalf of the Federal Office of Culture (SFOC). SWISS FILMS will present its communication and promotion activities at the Info-Point in Palazzo Sopracenerina. In Locarno on Friday, August 4, the SFOC will officially announce which film from Switzerland will be in the running for the Oscars 2023.