A lack of feet on the ground has always made the Locarno International Film Festival a bit remote to us, so this year marks an exception: contributor Ethan Vestby will provide coverage on some of the finest international cinema offers in the next year or so (presuming the films are given a U.S. release), and those hoping to discover tomorrow’s leading voices are encouraged to follow along.
The festival has just announced their 2016 lineup, which consists in some part of Hollywood fare (Jason Bourne), well-known arthouse auteurs (Jodorowsky‘s Endless Poetry; Radu Jude‘s Aferim! follow-up Sacred Hearts), and prominent titles of recent months (Ken Loach‘s Palme d’Or-winning I, Daniel Blake), but, as in years past, stands apart from other prestigious festivals for the way it gives many unknown (or at least lesser-known) voices their chance to speak up. Who else sets aside a program showcasing cinema from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka?
The full lineup (excepting certain series, e.g. tributes to Abbas Kiarostami and Michael Cimino), can be seen below (via Screen Daily):
Piazza Grande
AM TAG, ALS DER REGEN KAM by Gerd Oswald
Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) – 1959 – 85’
with Mario Adorf, Christian Wolff, Gert Fröbe, Corny Collins, Elke Sommer
Production: Alfa-Film
World Sales: CCC Filmkunst
CESSEZ-LE-FEU by Emmanuel Courcol
France – 2016 – 103’
with Romain Duris, Grégory Gadebois, Céline Salette
Production: Polaris Film
Co-production: Umedia, Fontana
World Sales: Indie Sales
World Premiere, First feature
COMBOIO DE SAL E AÇUCAR by Licinio Azevedo
Portugal/Mozambique/France/South Africa/Brazil – 2016 – 93’
with Matamba Joaquim, Melanie Rafael, Tiago Justino, António Nipita, Sabina Fonseca Production: Ukbar Filmes
Co-production: Les films de l’Étranger, Urucu Media; Panda Filmes, Ébano Multimedia
World Premiere
DANS LA FORÊT by Gilles Marchand
France/Sweden – 2016 – 103’
with Jérémie Elkaïm, Timothé Vom Dorp, Théo Van de Voorde, Sophie Quinton, Mireille Perrier Production: Les Films de Françoise, Götafilm
World Sales: Wild Bunch
Swiss distributor: Filmcoopi Zürich
World Premiere
I, DANIEL BLAKE by Ken Loach
United Kingdom/France/Belgium – 2016 – 100’
with Dave Johns, Hayley Squires, Dylan McKiernan, Briana Shann, Kate Rutter, Sharon Percy, Kema Sikazwe
Production: Sixteen Films, Why Not Productions, Wild Bunch, Les Films du Fleuve, Le Pacte
World Sales: Wild Bunch
Swiss distributor: Filmcoopi Zürich
INTERCHANGE by Dain Iskandar Said
Malaysia/Indonesia – 2016 – 102’
with Shaheizy Sam, Nicholas Saputra, Prisia Nasution, Iedil Putra
Production: Apparat
Co-production: Sonneratia Capital, MDeC, Seeing Eye Films, Cinesurya
World Sales: Reel Suspects
Swiss distributor: Praesens-Film
World Premiere
JASON BOURNE by Paul Greengrass
USA – 2016 – 123’
with Matt Damon, Alicia Vikander, Julia Stiles, Tommy Lee Jones, Riz Ahmed, Vincent Cassel Production: Universal Pictures, The Kennedy/Marshall Company
World Sales: Universal Pictures International
Swiss distributor: Universal Pictures International Switzerland
LE CIEL ATTENDRA by Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar
France – 2016 – 105’
with Clotilde Courau, Sandrine Bonnaire, Noémie Merlant, Naomi Amarger, Zinédine Soualem Production: Willow Films
World Sales: Gaumont
Swiss distributor: Agora Films
World Premiere
MOHENJO DARO by Ashutosh Gowariker
India – 2016 – 153’
with Hrithik Roshan, Pooja Hegde
Production: Ashutosh Gowariker Productions Private Limited, UTV Software Communications Limited
World Sales: UTV Software Communications Limited
MOKA by Frédéric Mermoud
France/Switzerland – 2016 – 89’
with Emmanuelle Devos, Nathalie Baye, Diane Rouxel, Samuel Labarthe, David Clavel Production: Diligence Films, Bande à part Films, Tabo Tabo Films, Sampek Productions
Co-production: RTS Radio Télévision Suisse
World Sales: Pyramide International
Swiss distributor: Frenetic Films
World Premiere
PAULA by Christian Schwochow
Germany/France – 2016 – 123’
with Carla Juri, Albrecht Abraham Schuch, Roxane Duran, Joel Basman, Stanley Weber Production: Pandora Film Produktion, Grown Up Films
Co-production: Alcatraz Films
World Sales: The Match Factory
Swiss distributor: Filmcoopi Zürich
World Premiere
POESÍA SIN FIN by Alejandro Jodorowsky
France/Chile – 2016 – 128’
with Adan Jodorowsky, Pamela Flores, Brontis Jodorowsky, Leandro Taub
Production: Satori Films, Le Soleil Films, Le Pacte
World Sales: Le Pacte
Swiss distributor: Adok Films
TEO-NEOL (The Tunnel) by Kim Seong-hun
South Corea – 2016 – 132’
with Ha Jung-woo, Oh Dal-su, Bae Doona
Production: Showbox
World Sales: Showbox
International Premiere
THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by Colm McCarthy
United Kingdom – 2016 – 110’
with Gemma Arterton, Paddy Considine, Glenn Close, Sennia Nanua, Anamaria Marinca, Fisayo Akinade, Anthony Welsh, Dominique Tipper
Production: Poison Chef
Co-production: BFI, Creative England
World Sales: Altitude Film Sales
Swiss distributor: Impuls Pictures
World Premiere
VINCENT by Christophe Van Rompaey
France/Belgium – 2016 – 118
’
with Alexandra Lamy, Spencer Bogaert, Barbara Sarafian, Geert Van Rampelberg, Fred Epaud Production: A Private View, Les Films de la Croisade, Les Enragés
World Sales: Beta Cinema
World Premiere
VOR DER MORGENRÖTE – STEFAN ZWEIG IN AMERIKA by Maria Schrader
Germany/France/Austria – 2016 – 106’
with Josef Hader, Barbara Sukowa, Aenne Schwarz, Matthias Brandt, Charly Hübner
Production: X Filme Creative Pool, Idéale Audience, Maha Productions, Dor Film
World Sales: Films Distribution
Swiss distributor: Filmcoopi Zürich
International Premiere
Concorso Internazionale
AL MA’ WAL KHODRA WAL WAJH EL HASSAN (Brooks, Meadows and Lovely Faces) by Yousry Nasrallah
Egypt – 2016 – 115’
with Laila Eloui, Mena Shalaby, Bassem Samra, Ahmed Daoud, Sabrine, Alaa Zenhom, Mohamed Sharnouby, Lama Kotkot, Enaam Saloussa, Mohamed Farag, Zeina Mansour, Mohamed Aly Rizk
Production: El Sobky Film for Cinema Production
World Sales: Pyramide International
World Premiere
BANGKOK NITES by Katsuya Tomita
Japan/France/Thailand/Laos – 2016 – 183’
with Subenja Pongkorn, Sunun Phuwiset, Chutlpha Promplang, Tanyarat Kongphu, Sarinya Yongsawat, Hitoshi Ito, Yohta Kawase
Production: KUZOKU
Co-production: Flying Pillow Films, Trixta, Bangkok Planning, Lao Art Media, Les Films de l’Étranger
World Premiere
CORRESPONDÊNCIAS by Rita Azevedo Gomes
Portugal – 2016 – 145’
with Eva Truffaut, Pierre Léon, Rita Durão, Anna Leppänen, Luís Miguel Cintra
Production: C.R.I.M.
World Sales: C.R.I.M.
World Premiere
DAO KHANONG (By the Time It Gets Dark) by Anocha Suwichakornpong
Thailand/Netherlands/France/Qatar – 2016 – 105’
with Arak Amornsupasiri, Atchara Suwan, Visra Vichit-Vadakan, Inthira Charoenpura, Rassami Paoluengtong, Penpak Sirikul, Apinya Sakuljaroensuk, Waywiree Ittianunkul, Natdanai Wangsiripaisarn
Production: Electric Eel Films
Co-production: VS Service, Survivance
World Premiere
DER TRAUMHAFTE WEG by Angela Schanelec
Germany – 2016 – 86’
with Miriam Jakob, Thorbjörn Björnsson, Maren Eggert, Philip Hayes, Anaïa Zapp
Production: Filmgalerie 451
Co-production: WDR, Arte
World Sales: Filmgalerie 451
World Premiere
GODLESS by Ralitza Petrova
Bulgaria/Denmark/France – 2016 – 99’
with Irena Ivanova, Ivan Nalbantov, Ventzislav Konstantinov, Alexandr Triffonov, Dimitar Petkov
Production: KLAS Film
Co-production: Snowglobe, Alcatraz Films, Film Factory
World Sales: Heretic Outreach
World Premiere, First feature
HERMIA & HELENA by Matías Piñeiro
USA/Argentina – 2016 – 87’
with Agustina Muñoz, María Villar, Mati Diop, Julian Larquier, Keith Poulson, Dan Sallitt, Laura Paredes, Dustin Defa, Gabi Saidón, Romina Paula, Pablo Sigal, Kyle Molzan, Ryan Miyake, Oscar Williams
Production: Trapecio Cine, Ravenser Odd
Co-production: Cinema Conservancy
World Sales: Trapecio Cine, Ravenser Odd
World Premiere
INIMI CICATRIZATE (Scarred Hearts) by Radu Jude
Romania/Germany – 2016 – 141’
with Lucian Teodor Rus, Ivana Mladenovic, Ilinca Harnut, Serban Pavlu, Marian Olteanu, Alexandru Dabija, Dana Voicu, Adina Cristescu, Sarra Tsorakidis, Larisa Crunțeanu, Marius Damian, Bogdan Cotlet, Gabriel Spahiu, Alexandru Bogdan
Production: Hi Film Productions
Co-production: Komplizen Film
World Sales: Beta Cinema
World Premiere
JEUNESSE by Julien Samani
France/Portugal – 2016 – 83’
with Kevin Azaïs, Samir Guesmi, Jean-François Stévenin Production: Alfama Films Production
Co-production: Leopardo Filmes
World Sales: Alfama Films
World Premiere, First feature
KAZE NI NURETA ONNA (Wet Woman in the Wind) by Akihiko Shiota
Japan – 2016 – 77’
with Yuki Mamiya, Tasuku Nagaoka, Ryushin Tei, Takahiro Kato, Michiko Suzuki, Hitomi Nakatani
Production: Nikkatsu Corporation
Co-production: SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, DJANGO FILM Production
World Sales: Nikkatsu Corporation
World Premiere
LA IDEA DE UN LAGO by Milagros Mumenthaler
Switzerland/Argentina/Qatar – 2016 – 82’
with Carla Crespo, Rosario Bléfari, Malena Moiron
Production: Alina film, Ruda Cine
Swiss distributor: Look Now!
World Premiere
LA PRUNELLE DE MES YEUX by Axelle Ropert
France – 2016 – 90’
with Mélanie Bernier, Bastien Bouillon, Antonin Fresson, Chloé Astor, Swann Arlaud, Serge Bozon
Production: Les Films Pelléas
Co-production: Arte
World Sales: Les Films du Losange
World Premiere
MARIJA by Michael Koch
Germany/Switzerland – 2016 – 100’
with Margarita Breitkreiz, Georg Friedrich, Olga Dinnikova, Sahin Eryilmaz
Production: Pandora Film Produktion
Co-production: Hugofilm Productions
Swiss distributor: Frenetic Films
World Premiere, First feature
MISTER UNIVERSO by Tizza Covi, Rainer Frimmel
Austria/Italy – 2016 – 90’
with Tairo Caroli, Wendy Weber, Arthur Robin, Lilly Robin
Production: Vento Film
World Sales: Be For Films
World Premiere
O ORNITÓLOGO by João Pedro Rodrigues
Portugal/France/Brazil – 2016 – 118’
with Paul Hamy, Xelo Cagiao, Wen Han, Chan Sua Lin
Production: Blackmaria, House on Fire, Itaca Films
Co-production: Le Fresnoy – Studio national des arts contemporains
World Sales: Films Boutique
World Premiere
OSTATNIA RODZINA (The Last Family) by Jan Matuszynski
Poland – 2016 – 122’
with Andrzej Seweryn, Dawid Ogrodnik, Aleksandra Konieczna, Andrzej Chyra
Production: Aurum Film
Co-production: HBO Europe, Mazovia Film Fund, Lightcraft, Universal Music Polska
World Sales: New Europe Film Sales
World Premiere
SLAVA (Glory) by Kristina Grozeva, Petar Valchanov
Bulgaria/Greece – 2016 – 101’
with Stefan Denolyubov, Margita Gosheva
Production: Abraxas Film
Co-production: Graal Films
World Sales: WIDE
World Premiere
Concorso Cineasti Del Prezente
AFTERLOV by Stergios Paschos
Greece – 2016 – 94’
with Haris Fragoulis, Iro Bezou
Production: Marni Films
Co-production: ERT S.A., Faliro House Productions
World Premiere, First feature
AKHDAR YABES (Withered Green) by Mohammed Hammad
Egypt – 2016 – 72’
with Hiba Ali, Asmaa Fawzy, Jhone Ikram Hanna, Ahmed Hammad, Samia Hammad, Tamer Abdul Hamid, Ikram Hanna, Nabil Samy, Saad Amer, Basant Khalifa, Ahmed Al Aidy, Mohammed El Hajj, Mohammed Eissa, Mohammed Mokhtar
Production: Film Clinic
World Premiere, First feature
DESTRUCTION BABIES by Tetsuya Mariko
Japan – 2016 – 108’
with Yuya Yagira, Masaki Suda, Nana Komatsu, Nijiro Murakami
Production: Dle.Inc
World Sales: Dream kid. inc, Shochiku. inc
International Premiere
DONALD CRIED by Kris Avedisian
USA–2016–85’
with Kris Avedisian, Jesse Wakeman, Kyle Espeleta, Louisa Krause
Production: Electric Chinoland
International Premiere, First feature
EL AUGE DEL HUMANO by Eduardo Williams
Argentina/Brazil/Portugal – 2016 – 95’
with Sergio Morosini, Shine Marx, Domingos Marengula, Chai Fonacier, Irene Doliente Paña, Manuel Asucan, Rixel Manimtim
Production: Ruda Cine, Un puma
Co-production: RT Features, Bando à parte
World Sales: Ruda Cine
World Premiere, First feature
EL FUTURO PERFECTO by Nele Wohlatz
Argentina – 2016 – 65’
with Xiaobin Zhang
Production: Murillo Cine
World Premiere, First feature
GORGE CŒUR VENTRE by Maud Alpi
France – 2016 – 82’
with Virgile Hanrot, Dimitri Buchenet
Production: Mezzanine Films
Co-production: Rhône-Alpes Cinéma, M141
World Sales: MPM Film
World Premiere, First feature
I HAD NOWHERE TO GO by Douglas Gordon
Germany – 2016 – 100’
with Jonas Mekas
Production: olddognewtricks, moneypenny filmproduktion
World Premiere
IL NIDO by Klaudia Reynicke
Switzerland/Italy – 2016 – 80’
with Ondina Quadri, Fabrizio Rongione, Diego Ribon, Sonia Gessner
Production: Amka Films Productions
Co-production: Tempesta
Swiss distributor: Filmcoopi Zürich
World Premiere
ISTIRAHATLAH KATA-KATA (Solo, Solitude) by Yosep Anggi Noen
Indonesia – 2016 – 97’
with Gunawan Maryanto, Marissa Anita, Eduward Manalu, Melanie Subono, Davi Yunan Production: Kawankawan Films, Limaenam Films, Muara Foundation, Partisipasi Indonesia World Premiere
L’INDOMPTÉE by Caroline Deruas
France – 2016 – 98’
with Clotilde Hesme, Jenna Thiam, Tchéky Karyo, Bernard Verley, Pascal Rénéric, Marilyne Canto, Lolita Chammah, Tanya Lopert, Filippo Timi, Renato Carpentieri
Production: Thelma Films
Co-production: Arte France Cinéma
World Sales: Les Films du Losange
World Premiere, First feature
MAÑANA A ESTA HORA by Lina Rodríguez
Colombia/Canada – 2016 – 85’
with Laura Osma, Maruia Shelton, Francisco Zaldua, Clara Monroy, Catalina Cabra, Francisco Restrepo, Juan Miguel Santana, Juan Pablo Cruz, Valentina Gómez, Alejandra Adarve
Production: RAYON VERT
World Premiere
PESCATORI DI CORPI by Michele Pennetta
Switzerland – 2016 – 64’
Production: Close Up Films
World Premiere, First feature
THE CHALLENGE by Yuri Ancarani
Italy/France/Switzerland – 2016 – 65’
Production: La Bête
Co-production: ring film, Atopic
World Sales: slingshotfilms
World Premiere, First feature
VIEJO CALAVERA by Kiro Russo
Bolivia/Qatar – 2016 – 80’
with Julio Cesar Ticona “Tortus”, Narciso Choquecallata, Anastasia Daza López, Rolando Patzi, Israel Hurtado, Elisabeth Ramírez Galván
Production: Socavón Cine
Co-production: S.T.M.M.D.H
World Sales: Socavón Cine
World Premiere, First feature