Locarno Reveals Lineup, Names Mélanie Laurent and Guillaume Canet for Career Achievement Awards
Locarno has revealed this year’s official selection.
Known auteurs Hong Sang-soo (“By the Stream”) and Wang Bing (“Youth (Hard Times)”) will now battle it out in the official selection, which will welcome 17 world premieres. Italy will be represented by Sara Fgaier’s “Sulla Terra Leggeri” and “Luce,” directed by Silvia Luzi and Luca Bellino. Ala Eddine Slim’s “Agora” will also be shown, as well as Ben Rivers’ “Bogancloch,” “Cent Mille Milliards” by Virgil Vernier and Saulė Bliuvaitė’s “Toxic.”
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“We are very excited and happy with our selection, which we believe represents the best of contemporary filmmaking. We have taken special care in highlighting those works that, while broadening the possibilities of cinema, are also consciously trying to spark a more meaningful conversation with the audience,” stated artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro, adding that the fest “continues to offer itself up as a platform for intersectional dialogue.”
The audience will get to discover Ramon Zürcher’s “The Sparrow in the Chimney,” Marta Mateus’ “Fire of Wind,” “Green Line” by Sylvie Ballyot and “Death Will Come” by Christoph Hochhäusler. “Mond” directed by Kurdwin Ayub, Mar Coll’s “Mothers Don’t,” Pia Marais’ “Transamazonia,” “New Dawn Fades” by Gürcan Keltek and “Drowning Dry” by Laurynas Bareiša round up the section.
The event, which will celebrate its 77th edition, also announced the recipients of Excellence Awards Davide Campari: Mélanie Laurent and Guillaume Canet, dedicated to “performers with extraordinary careers.”
French stars will be seen in this year’s opening film, “Le Déluge,” by Gianluca Jodice, about the last days of Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI. According to Nazzaro, the film features their “career-defining performances.”
“Mélanie Laurent and Guillaume Canet have forged personal and identifiable acting paths for themselves over the years. Working in the service of a French and European tradition of an auteur cinema that often intersects with the reasons of a cultured popular cinema, the two performers have shown extraordinary sensitivity in the composition of their roles, thus giving rise to artistic, personal trajectories that are appreciated by audiences,” he said.
As already announced, this year’s edition will welcome the likes of Jane Campion, who will receive Pardo d’Onore Manor and show her beloved masterpiece “The Piano,” producer Stacey Sher (Raimondo Rezzonico Award), actor Irène Jacob (set to receive Leopard Club Award) and India’s icon himself, Shah Rukh Khan (Pardo all Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism). Ben Burtt will pick up Vision Award Ticinomoda and Claude Barras – Locarno Kids Award la Mobiliare.
Finally, Piazza Grande selection will feature six world premieres among its 18 titles. From “Electric Child” by Simon Jaquemet to the aforementioned “Le Déluge,” “Mexico 86” by César Díaz, Paz Vega’s directorial effort “Rita” and two world premieres of restored versions: “The Fall (Restored Cut)” and Godard’s “Une Femme Est Une Femme.”
“The selection presents, as expected, celebrated auteurs while also introducing new directors who we are certain will play a major role with their films in the future,” said Nazzaro about Locarno picks.
Locarno Film Festival will take place from August 7 – 17, 2024. You can find the full lineup here:
Official Selection
“Agora”
Dir. Ala Eddine Slim
Tunisia, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar
World premiere
Ala Eddine Slim (“The Last of Us” and “Tlamess”) focuses on three missing people who return to a remote town in Tunisia. Local police inspector tries to unravel the mystery with the help of her friend, but then a second inspector arrives from the capital. As reported by Variety, “the events of the film develop as if they were taking place in the dreams of two animals – a blue dog and a black crow.” Produced by Exit Productions, it’s co-produced by Cinenovo.
“Toxic” (“Akiplesa”)
Dir. Saulė Bliuvaitė
Lithuania
World premiere
Bliuvaitė’s feature debut takes on the world of modelling – and the pain of coming-of-age – as its teenage protagonist gets ready for casting that could change everything, not to mention help her finally leave her home. Produced by Akis bado, it features Vesta Matulytė, Ieva Rupeikaitė and Vilma Raubaitė. In March, the film was awarded at Lithuania’s industry event Meeting Point Vilnius.
“Bogancloch”
Dir. Ben Rivers
United Kingdom, Germany, Iceland
World premiere
Described as a sequel to Rivers’ first feature “Two Years at Sea,” and oscillating between documentary and fiction, the film will welcome its viewers into the unique home of loner Jake Williams – hidden somewhere in the middle of Scottish forest. It’s produced by Urth Productions and Hopscotch Films and co-produced by Flaneur Films and Akkeri Films. Rediance handles sales.
“Cent Mille Milliards”
Dir. Virgil Vernier
France
World premiere
Known to Locarno audiences for his previous films “Sophia Antipolis” and “Orléans,” actor-director Virgil Vernier now enlists the help of fresh faces Zakaria Bouti, Mina Gajovic and Victoire Kong. A Petit Film production.
“The Sparrow in the Chimney” (“Der Spatz im Kamin”)
Dir. Ramon Zürcher
Switzerland
World premiere
In Zürcher’s film, a couple lives with their kids in Karen’s childhood home in the countryside. On her husband’s birthday, her sister Jule arrives. But the two women are complete opposites. Maren Eggert (“I’m Your Man”), Britta Hammelstein, Luise Heyer, Andreas Döhler and Lea Zoe Voss take on the roles, while Zürcher Film produces. A SRF/SRG SSR co-production, it’s sold by Cercamon. Filmcoopi Zürich handles Swis distribution.
“Fire of Wind” (“Fogo do vento”)
Dir. Marta Mateus
Portugal, Switzerland, France
World premiere
Portuguese director Marta Mateus – previously awarded for 2017 short “Farpões, baldios” – makes her feature debut with this title, produced by Clarão Companhia and co-produced by Casa Azul Films and Les Films d’ici. Soraia Prudêncio, Maria Catarina Sapata, Safir Eizner, José Moura and Maria Clara Madeira star. Sold by Portugal Film – Portuguese Film Agency.
“Green Line”
Dir. Sylvie Ballyot
France, Lebanon, Qatar
World premiere
Yet another debut feature in the section, Sylvie Ballyot’s “Green Line” is produced by TS Productions and co-produced by Films de Force Majeure, XBO Films and L’impossible est en cours. This creative documentary will surprise the viewers with its animated sequences as it tries to reconstruct the life of Fida, who still has to deal with the traumatic memories of her childhood in 1980s Lebanon.
“Death Will Come” (“La Mort Viendra”)
Dir. Christoph Hochhäusler
Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium
World premiere
True Colours has already boarded this thriller with Sophie Verbeeck, Louis-Do de Lencquesaing, Marc Limpach, Mourade Zeguendi and Hilde Van Mieghem. Produced by Heimatfilm and co-produced by Amour Fou Luxembourg and Tarantula Belgique, it zooms onto a female killer, hired by a gangster to exact revenge after one of his couriers was murdered. But soon, she might need to run for her life as well.
“Luce”
Dir. Silvia Luzi, Luca Bellino
Italy
World premiere
Longtime Italian directorial duo, known for “On the Art of War,” “Crater” and “Io sono Sofia,” now collaborates with actor Marianna Fontana, previously seen in “Indivisible” and series “Romulus.” Bokeh Film, Stemal Entertainment and Rai Cinema produce.
“Mond”
Dir. Kurdwin Ayub
Austria
World premiere
Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion oversees this latest proposition by Kurdwin Ayub – who already presented “Sonne” in Berlin – about a former female kickboxer, from Vienna, who decides to work as a personal trainer for three daughters of a rich family in the Middle East. But they are constantly monitored and, well, not that interested in boxing. Features Florentina Holzinger, Andria Tayeh, Celina Antwan and Nagham Abu Baker.
“Youth (Hard Times)” (“Qing Chun (Ku)”)
Dir. Wang Bing
France, Luxembourg, Netherlands
World premiere
“Youth (Spring)” divided Cannes over its lengthy running time, but award-winning Wang Bing continues to explore the lives of the young in his new documentary. Produced by House on Fire, Gladys Glover and CS Production, it’s co-produced by Arte France Cinéma, Les Films Fauves, Volya Films, Eastern-Lion Pictures and Culture Media Co., Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation, Le Fresnoy – Studio national des arts contemporains. Pyramide International handles sales.
“By the Stream” (“Suyoocheon”)
Dir. Hong Sang-soo
South Korea
World premiere
The latest from acclaimed – and extremely prolific – South Korean auteur Hon Sang-soo, “By the Stream” is produced by Jeonwonsa Film. His regular Kim Minhee (“The Handmaiden”) stars, alongside Kwon Haehyo and Cho Yunhee. In the film, a lecturer at a woman’s university asks her uncle, a blacklisted actor-director, to direct a skit at the university. Earlier this year, Sang-soo was awarded in Berlin for “A Traveler’s Needs” with Isabelle Huppert.
“Mothers Don’t” (“Salve Maria”)
Dir. Mar Coll
Spain
World premiere
Barcelona-born Mar Coll returns after “Three Days with the Family” and “We All Want What’s Best for Her,” telling the story of a young writer who becomes obsessed by the case of a woman who drowned her twins in the bathtub. With Laura Weissmahr and Oriol Pla, it’s produced by Escándalo Films and Elastica Films International. Be For Films is on board as well. “María is a repentant mother, an association of words that generates automatic unease,” Coll told Variety.
“Drowning Dry” (“Seses”)
Dir. Laurynas Bareiša
Lithuania, Latvia
World premiere
Alpha Violet handles this drama from Laurynas Bareiša (“Pilgrims,” awarded in Venice) about a family heading to a country house after a successful tournament. They swim in the lake, eat, talk about money. Then, tragedy strikes, changing their entire lives forever. Gelminė Glemžaitė, Agnė Kaktaitė, Giedrius Kiela and Paulius Markevičius star. Produced by afterschool production, co-produced by Trickster Pictures.
“Sulla Terra Leggeri”
Dir. Sara Fgaier
Italy
World premiere
Gian, a sixty-something ethnomusicology professor, fights the darkness caused by the sudden onset of amnesia. He tries to end things, but he fails. His estranged daughter moves into his apartment with her son Elyas. Andrea Renzi, Sara Serraiocco, Emilio Francis Scarpa, Lise Lomi and Maria Fernanda Cândido are cast in Sara Fgaier’s debut feature. Produced by Limen, Avventurosa, Dugong Films and Rai Cinema, with Rai Cinema International Distribution handling sales.
“Transamazonia”
Dir. Pia Marais
France, Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, Brazil
World premiere
Helena Zengel, Jeremy Xido, Sabine Timoteo, Hamã Luciano and Rômulo Braga act in this story about a daughter of a missionary, Rebecca, who survived a plane crash as a child. Years later, she becomes a healer, forced to deal with loggers who are invading the land belonging to the indigenous people. The Party Film Sales is on board, while Cinéma Defacto, Gaïjin and Aldabra Films produce. Co-produced by Pandora Film Produktion, Point Productions, Volos Films, Vitamine C, O’Par and Cabocla Filmes.
“New Dawn Fades” (Yeni Safak Solarken”)
Dir. Gürcan Keltek
Turkey, Italy, Germany, Norway, Netherlands
World premiere
Gürcan Keltek (“Colony,” “Meteors,” also shown in Locarno) now takes on a story about an up-and-coming actor, diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder right after his graduation. After fleeing from hospital, he struggles to find jobs. Then he starts working as a guardian for children in a shopping mall’s indoor playground. A Vigo Film production, the film is co-produced by Slingshot Films, 29P Films, The StoryBay and Fidalgo Productions. Sold by Heretic.
Piazza Grande
“Electric Child”
Dir. Simon Jaquemet
Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Philippines
Production: 8horses
Co-production: unafilm, Revolver Amsterdam, Perron X, Epicmedia Productions, SRF/SRG SSR, CH Media
Swiss distributor: Ascot Elite Entertainment
World premiere
“Gaucho Gaucho”
Dir. Michael Dweck, Gregory Kershaw
USA, Argentina
Production: Artemis Rising Foundation, Beautiful Stories, Foothill Productions, Impact Partners
International sales: Charades
Swiss distributor: Praesens Film
Swiss premiere
“Le Deluge”
Dir. Gianluca Jodice
Italy, France
Production: Ascent Film, Rai Cinema, Adler Entertainment Co-production: Quad Films
International sales: Goodfellas
Swiss distributor: Xenix Filmdistribution
World premiere
“Le Procès du Chien”
Dir. Laetitia Dosch
Switzerland, France
Production: Bande à part Films, Atelier de Production
Co-production: RTS Radio Télévision Suisse, SRG SSR, France 2 Cinéma
International sales: mk2
Swiss distributor: Pathé Films
Swiss premiere, First Feature
“Mexico 86”
Dir. César Díaz
Belgium, France
Production: Need Productions, Tripode Productions
Co-production: Pimienta Films, Menuetto
International sales: Goodfellas
World premiere
“Reinas”
Dir. Klaudia Reynicke
Switzerland, Peru, Spain
Production: Alva Film, Maretazo Cine, Inicia Films
Co-production: RTS Radio Télévision Suisse International sales: The Yellow Affair
Swiss distributor: Filmcoopi Zürich
Swiss premiere
“Rita”
Dir. Paz Vega
Spain
Production: Áralan Films, Rita La Película A.I.E.
International sales: Filmax
World premiere
“Sauvages”
Dir. Claude Barras
Switzerland, France, Belgium
Production: Nadasdy Film, Haut et Court, Panique!
Co-production: Hélium Films, Beast Animation, Personne n’est parfait!
International sales: Goodfellas
Swiss distributor: Frenetic Films
Swiss premiere
“Sew Torn”
Dir. Freddy Macdonald
USA, Switzerland
Production: Sew Torn
Co-production: ORISONO
International sales: UTA
International premiere
“Shambhala”
Dir. Min Bahadur Bham
Nepal, France, Norway, Turkey, Hong Kong, Taiwan, USA, Qatar
Production: Shooney films
Co-production: CDP, Ape&Bjørn, Aaru Production, ZK Films, Yi Tiao Long Hu Bao, Bangdel & Shakya Production
International sales: Best Friend Forever
Swiss distributor: AMF
Swiss premiere
“The Fall (Restored Cut)”
Dir. Tarsem Singh
South Africa, India, United Kingdom
Production: Googly Films
International sales: The Match Factory
World premiere of the 4K restoration and director’s cut
“The Piano”
Dir. Jane Campion
Australia, New Zealand, France
Production: Jan Chapman Films, Ciby 2000
International sales: Newen Connect
“The Seed of the Sacred Fig”
Dir. Mohammad Rasoulof Iran, Germany, France
Production: Run Way Pictures
Co-production: Parallel45
International sales: Films Boutique
Swiss distributor: trigon-film
Swiss premiere
“Timestalker”
Dir. Alice Lowe
United Kingdom
Production: Western Edge Pictures
Co-production: Popcorn Group
International sales: HanWay Films
Swiss distributor: Praesens Film
Swiss premiere
“Une Femme Est Une Femme”
Dir. Jean-Luc Godard
France, Italy
Production: Rome-Paris Films, Euro International Films
International sales: StudioCanal
World premiere of the 4K restoration
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