SWISS
2020 IN BERLIN
FILMS
VISIT US AT BERLINALE: European Film Market Booth # 125 info@swissfilms.ch T +49 30 780 956 424
SWISS FILMS Neugasse 6, 8005 Zurich www.swissfilms.ch Published in February 2020 Image campaign by Sophie Brasey
SWISS FILMS AT BERLINALE 2020
� COMPETITION
14 BERLINALE CO-PRODUCTION MARKET
5 PANORAMA
15 EUROPEAN FILM MARKET
7 GENERATION 14PLUS
20 BOX OFFICE HITS
9 GENERATION KPLUS
21 FESTIVAL FAVOURITES
10 BERLINALE SHORTS 11 EUROPEAN SHOOTING STAR ELLA RUMPF 12 BERLINALE TALENTS
25 COMING SOON 35 IN PRODUCTION 36 SUPPORT MEASURES
SWISS FILMS TEAM IN BERLIN
CATHERINE ANN BERGER Managing Director caberger@swissfilms.ch T +41 76 368 02 65
AIDA SULJICIC Head of Festivals & Markets asuljicic@swissfilms.ch T +41 77 431 87 79
ANDREAS BÜHLMANN Consultant Film & Industry abuehlmann@swissfilms.ch T +41 79 303 58 69
LAURA DANIEL Consultant Film, Talent & Awards ldaniel@swissfilms.ch T +41 76 343 61 16
SYLVAIN VAUCHER Consultant Short Films svaucher@swissfilms.ch T +41 79 542 83 80
DANIELA STRIKA Support Scheme Manager support@swissfilms.ch T +41 43 211 40 63
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BAD TALES
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written & directed by Fabio D’Innocenzo, Damiano D’Innocenzo 2
Once upon a time there was a dark fairytale set in the outskirts of Rome, between a brutally built melancholy coast and swampy countryside. A small family community composed of parents, teenagers and teachers. There, silence covers the subtle sadism of the fathers, the passivity of the mothers, and the guilty indifference of the teachers. Overall, it is the desperation of the children that explodes in repressed rage and flows quickly through the loss of everyone.
Fiction
WORLD SALES: The Match Factory GmbH, Cologne www.the-match-factory.com WORLD PREMIERE: Berlinale 2020 INTERNATIONAL PRESS: WOLF Consultants Gordon Spragg gordon@wolf-con.com T +49 171 646 69 70
ITALY / SWITZERLAND Fiction, 98 min., 2020 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: Italian CAST: Elio Germano, Tommaso Di Cola, Giulietta Rebeggiani, Gabriel Montesi, Justin Korovkin, Barbara Chichiarelli PRODUCTION: Pepito Produzioni, Rome / Amka Films Productions SA, Savosa SWISS PRODUCERS: Tiziana Soudani, Michela Pini, Gabriella de Gara
FABIO & DAMIANO D’INNOCENZO * 1988 the D’Innocenzo brothers were born in Rome. Lovers of photography from young age on, the self-taught filmmakers today boast a place as enfant prodige of Italian cinema. Their debut film, BOYS CRY (2018), premiered in the Panorama at the Berlinale 2018 and received numerous awards worldwide. The film’s success gave the brothers the opportunity to establish themselves internationally and participate in the prestigious workshop of the Sundance Film Festival.
COMPETITION SCHWESTERLEIN
MY LITTLE SISTER
written & directed by Stéphanie Chuat, Véronique Reymond
VÉRONIQUE REYMOND * 1971 Chuat and Reymond’s awardwinning debut film THE LITTLE BEDROOM (2010) premiered in competition at the Locarno Film Festival. It was the Swiss submission for the Academy Awards and won Best Fiction Film and Best Screenplay at the Swiss Film Awards 2011. Their documentary feature LADIES (2018) premiered at Visions du Réel and was a Swiss box-office hit.
SWITZERLAND Fiction, 99 min., 2020 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: German CAST: Nina Hoss, Lars Eidinger, Marthe Keller, Jens Albinus PRODUCTION: Vega Film, Zurich / RTS / SRG SSR / ARTE G.E.I.E. PRODUCER: Ruth Waldburger
WORLD SALES: Beta Cinema, Oberhaching www.betacinema.com WORLD PREMIERE: Berlinale 2020 PRESS CONTACT: Jean-Yves Gloor jyg@terrasse.ch T +41 79 210 98 21
Fiction
STÉPHANIE CHUAT * 1970
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Brilliant playwright, Lisa no longer writes. She lives in Switzerland with her family but her heart has stayed in Berlin, beating to the rhythm of her brother’s heart. The ties between the twins have grown stronger since Sven was diagnosed with an aggressive type of leukaemia. He’s a famous theatre actor and Lisa refuses to accept his fate, moving heaven and earth to get him back on stage. She gives her all for her soulmate, neglecting everything else, even risking her marriage.
COMPETITION
THE SALT OF TEARS
LE SEL DES LARMES
directed by Philippe Garrel 4
A young man’s first female conquests and the deep love he feels for his father. Luc, a young man from the provinces, visits Paris to sit his arts and craft college entry exam. In the street he meets Djemila, with whom he enjoys a brief romance. Returning to his father’s house, he begins a relationship with his childhood friend Geneviève, while Djemila longs to see him again. When Luc is accepted by the college he leaves once more for Paris, leaving Geneviève and the baby she is carrying behind him…
Fiction
WORLD SALES: Wild Bunch, Paris www.wildbunch.biz WORLD PREMIERE: Berlinale 2020 INTERNATIONAL PRESS: Magalie Montet T +33 6 71 63 36 16
FRANCE / SWITZERLAND Fiction, 100 min., 2020 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: French SCREENPLAY: Jean-Claude Carrière, Arlette Langmann, Philippe Garrel CAST: Logann Antuofermo, Oulaya Amamra, André Wilms, Louise Chevillotte, Souheila Yacoub PRODUCTION: Rectangle Productions, Paris / Close Up Films, Geneva / ARTE / RTS SWISS PRODUCERS: Joëlle Bertossa, Flavia Zanon
PHILIPPE GARREL * 1948 in France. Philippe Garrel directed numerous short films in his youth before making his feature debut in 1967 with MARIE POUR MÉMOIRE. Three years later, he directed the celebrated cult film LA CICATRICE INTÉRIEURE with and about the rock icon Nico. His 25-plus feature films have screened and won prizes at the most prestigious inter national festivals, with four being selected for the Forum.
PANORAMA
MARE Mare has never flown, although she lives right next to the airport with her husband and their three teenage kids. She loves her family, cares for them, but sometimes almost feels like a stranger in her own home. Who are these people she lives with? Mare finds herself gazing at the planes overhead, longing for change and the unknown. When one day a younger man moves into the house next door, she puts her life to the test.
SWITZERLAND / CROATIA WORLD SALES: Fiction, 84 min., 2020 Be For Films, Brussels ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: www.beforfilms.com Croatian, English WORLD PREMIERE: CAST: Berlinale 2020 Marija Škaričić, Goran Navojec, INTERNATIONAL PRESS: Alibi Communications Mateusz Kościukiewicz, Brigitta Portier Mirjana Karanović brigittaportier@alibicommuniPRODUCTION: cations.be Okofilm Productions, Zurich / T +32 477 98 25 84 Dinaridi Film, Zagreb / SRF / SRG SSR / ZDF / ARTE SWISS PRODUCERS: Thomas Imbach, Andrea Štaka
Fiction
ANDREA ŠTAKA Andrea Štaka studied Film at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). Her first feature film FRAULEIN (2006) won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Festival and the Heart of Sarajevo at the Sarajevo Film Festival. CURE – THE LIFE OF ANOTHER (2014) was awarded at the Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis among others. MARE is Štaka’s third feature film.
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written & directed by Andrea Štaka
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written & directed by Susanne Regina Meures 6
Muna is a young, fearless woman from Saudi Arabia. She is tired of being controlled by the State and patronized by her family. Her arranged marriage is imminent and a life without rights and free will seems inevitable. Muna secretly begins to film. She documents every nuance of her claustrophobic existence and her planned escape. The film shows unprecedented images from the interior of the most repressive patriarchate in the world.
Documentary
WORLD SALES: Rise And Shine World Sales UG, Berlin www.riseandshine-berlin.de WORLD PREMIERE: Sundance Film Festival 2020 INTERNATIONAL PRESS: Rise and Shine World Sales: Stefan Kloos info@riseandshine-berlin.de T + 49 30 47 37 29 80
SWITZERLAND Documentary, 88 min., 2020 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: Arabic PRODUCTION: Christian Frei Filmproduktion GmbH, Zurich / SRF PRODUCER: Christian Frei
SUSANNE REGINA MEURES * 1977 in Germany. Meures studied Photography and Art History at The Courtauld Institute of Art in London. Since 2002 she freelances for print media and television. She holds a MA in Film from Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). With RAVING IRAN her first feature-length documentary she launched her international festival and box-office success. The film was screened at countless international festivals worldwide and won numerous awards. Her latest film SAUDI RUNAWAY premiered at Sundance Film Festival.
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written & directed by Chiara Bellosi
ITALY / SWITZERLAND Fiction, 84 min., 2020 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: Italian CAST: Daphne Scoccia, Bianca Leonardi, Sarah Short, Nicola Rignanese, Giovanni Anzaldo, Andrea Lattanzi PRODUCTION: Tempesta srl, Bologna / Cinédokké Sagl, Savosa / RAI Cinema / RSI SWISS PRODUCER: Michela Pini
WORLD SALES: Vision Distribution, Rome www.visiondistribution.it WORLD PREMIERE: Berlinale 2020 PRESS CONTACT: Jacopo Bistacchia jacopo.bistacchia@gmail.com +39 347 348 2991
Fiction
CHIARA BELLOSI * 1973 in Italy. Chiara Bellosi graduated with a diploma in dramaturgy from the Paolo Grassi Civic School of Theatre in Milan. She directed a short film as part of the collective film CHE COSA MANCA (2006) produced by Eskimosa and Rai Cinema. In 2007 she studied documentary at the IED Venice along with Leonardo Di Costanzo, Carlotta Cristiani and Silvio Soldini. She later worked on several documentaries. ORDINARY JUSTICE is her first work of fiction, as well as her first feature-length film.
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A day of ordinary justice in a large Italian courthouse. At the centre, in the heart of the building, a hearing: in the docks sits a young criminal and the petrol station attendant who reacted, shot and killed the former’s young accomplice. We see rituals, robes, interrogations, evidences, witnesses. But the film also (or especially?) tells the story of what happens beyond the courtroom: the corridors, offices, ushers, families, children and partners of the accused and of the victims, waiting outside.
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YALDA, A NIGHT FOR FORGIVENESS
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written & directed by Massoud Bakhshi 8
In Iran today: 22-year-old Maryam accidentally kills her elderly husband Nasser, and is sentenced to death. The only person who can save her is Mona, Nasser’s daughter. All Mona has to do is appear on a popular live TV show and forgive Maryam. But forgiveness proves difficult when they are forced to relive the past. Awarded with the World Cinema Dramatic Competition Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival 2020.
Fiction
WORLD SALES: Pyramide International, Paris www.pyramidefilms.com WORLD PREMIERE: Sundance Film Festival 2020 INTERNATIONAL PRESS: The PR Factory Barbara Van Lombeek barbara@theprfactory.com T +32 486 54 64 80 Marie-France Dupagne mariefrance@theprfactory.com T +32 477 62 67 70
FRANCE / GERMANY / IRAN / SWITZERLAND / LUXEMBOURG Fiction, 89 min., 2020 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: Farsi CAST: Sadaf Asgari, Behnaz Jafari, Babak Karimi PRODUCTION: JBA Production, Paris / Niko Film, Berlin / Close Up Films, Geneva / Amour Fou, Ettelbruck / ZDF/ ARTE / RTS / SRG SSR / Schortcut Films, Beirut / Tita B Productions, Douarnenez / Ali Mosaffa Productions, Tehran / VOO-BE TV
SWISS PRODUCERS: Joëlle Bertossa, Flavia Zanon
MASSOUD BAKHSHI * 1972 in Iran. He received a BSc in Agricultural Engineering in Tehran in 1995. He followed his passion, studying filmmaking in Italy. Massoud Bakhshi’s storytelling and topics are very personal. Ranging from serious to hilarious and biting, with films like TEHRAN ANAR NADARAD (2007), THE 12 MINUTE BAGHDAD BARBER (2008) and A RESPECTABLE FAMILY (Directors Fortnight 2012). His second feature YALDA, A NIGHT FOR FORGIVENESS premiered at Sundance Film Festival.
GENERATION KPLUS DER KLEINE VOGEL UND DIE BIENEN
THE LITTLE BIRD AND THE BEES
High up in the maple tree, the little bird is happy about the buds growing on his tree. Everywhere around him there is a buzzing and humming sound and there is a lot to discover. The little bird curiously follows the funny bees and does not notice that the fiery red fox is on his heels.
WORLD SALES: SWITZERLAND Magnetfilm, Berlin Animation, 4 min., 2020 www.magnetfilm.de ANIMATION TECHNIQUE: WORLD PREMIERE: 2D Computer animation Berlinale 2020 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: Without dialogue PRODUCTION: Schattenkabinett GmbH, Bern / SRF PRODUCERS: Ted Sieger, Gerd Gockell
Animation
LENA VON DÖHREN * 1981 in Germany. Lena von Döhren graduated in 2007 with a BA in Visual Communications from Gerrit Rietveld Akademie in Amsterdam. In 2011 she received her Master in Design from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU). Her previous animation film, THE LITTLE BIRD AND THE LEAF (2012), was her Master project and also premiered at the Berlinale. The animated film has screened at numerous festivals and been awarded in Sapporo, Hiroshima and La Bourboule.
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written & directed by Lena von Döhren
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ALETSCH NEGATIVE
NEMA CI
written & directed by Laurence Bonvin
Expanded Cinema
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The Aletsch Glacier is the longest and largest glacier of the Alps. According to glaciologists, most glaciers will have disappeared by the end of this century and only bits of Aletsch will remain. The film takes us on a captivating visual and sonic experience in which scale, temporality and our perception of the nature of the images we see, are questioned. A sensory journey to the belly of the glacier.
PRODUCTION AND WORLD RIGHTS: Laurence Bonvin, Switzerland www.laurencebonvin.com NATIONAL PREMIERE: Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur 2019 INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE: Berlinale 2020
SWITZERLAND Expanded Cinema, 11 min., 2019 ANIMATION TECHNIQUE: Stop Motion, other techniques ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: Without dialogue PRODUCER: Laurence Bonvin
LAURENCE BONVIN * 1967 Laurence Bonvin received her degree from École Nationale Supérieure de la Photographie in Arles, France and teaches photography at École Cantonale d’Art de Lausanne (ECAL) since 2002. Her work has been in numerous national and international exhibits. Her previous film, BEFORE THE FLIGHT (2016), also celebrated its international premiere in Berlinale Shorts, in 2017.
At the age of 19, Ella Rumpf was cast in Simon Jaquemet’s feature-film debut CHRIEG (2014). Her role as the rebellious, androgynous Ali, garnered her a nomination for the Swiss Film Award. Ella Rumpf made her international debut at the Festival de Cannes 2017 in RAW. For her role in the cannibalistic horror thriller by Julia Ducournau, she was selected for the talent section Révélations of the French film awards Césars. She has since performed in a wide variety of films, such as TIGER GIRL (2017) and SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL (2019). The actress will star in FREUD, her first Netflix production. The period-based series will screen as part of the Berlinale Series.
FILMOGRAPHY (SELECTION) 2020 FREUD by Marvin Kren, Benjamin Hessler, Stefan Brunner 2020 BEAST by Lorenz Merz 2019 SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL by Guillaume de Fontenay 2018 GORILLAS by Detlev Buck 2017 THE DIVINE ORDER by Petra Volpe 2017 TIGER GIRL by Jakob Lass 2016 RAW by Julia Ducournau 2014 CHRIEG by Simon Jaquemet
ACTRESS
EFP EUROPEAN SHOOTING STAR
She was born in 1995 in Paris, grew up in Zurich and attended the Giles Foreman Centre for Acting in London and currently lives in Paris.
ELLA RUMPF
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Ella Rumpf is Switzerland’s European Shooting Star, presented by the European Film Promotion, as one of Europe’s ten most talented actors and actresses. The Shooting Stars Jury described her as “The heroine of 1’000 face”.
BERLINALE TALENTS
TOMMASO DONATI DIRECTOR Tommaso Donati studied film at the International Film School of Paris (EICAR). The Swiss-Italian’s short films oscillate between documentary, experimental cinema and photography. FILMOGRAPHY (SELECTION) 2018 MONTE AMIATA 2017 A SONG FROM THE FUTURE 2017 ESSERI
PHILBERT MBABAZI DIRECTOR 12
Philbert Aimé Mbabazi Sharangabo directed various shorts that screened at international film festivals. He is a graduate from the Geneva School of Art & Design (HEAD – Genève). FILMOGRAPHY (SELECTION) 2022 SPECTRUM 2018 I GOT MY THINGS AND LEFT 2018 KEZA LYN
FISNIK MAXHUNI DIRECTOR Born in Kosovo, he holds a MA in Film from ECAL / HEAD. After several shorts and documentaries, he is working on his first feature film. FILMOGRAPHY (SELECTION) 2021 THE LAND WITHIN ME 2020 NO MAN IS AN ISLAND 2018 ZVICRA
BERLINALE TALENTS
IAN PURNELL DIRECTOR, EDITOR Ian Purnell’s work explores documentary filmmaking, theatre and visual art. He studied at the University of Film and Television PotsdamBabelsberg and at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne (KHM). FILMOGRAPHY (SELECTION) 2018 THE FEAR OF DYING IN TRANSIT 2018 DANGEROUS SOIL 2016 ISLAND SIGHTINGS
YUNUS ROY IMER Yunus Roy Imer studied at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg in Ludwigsburg. He shot SYSTEM CRASHER (2019) – the German Oscar Candidate and winner of a Silver Bear. FILMOGRAPHY (SELECTION) 2020 BLACK NIGHT 2019 SPACE DOGS 2017 OHNE DIESE WELT
ISABELLE SIEGRIST PRODUCTION DESIGNER Isabelle Siegrist was born in Basel. In 2009 she moved to Buenos Aires where she started to work as a production designer. Currently she lives and works in Berlin. FILMOGRAPHY (SELECTION) 2019 F FOR FREAKS 2017 TEMPORADA 01 2016 AN EXERCISE NOT TO FORGET
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SWITZERLAND Fiction PRODUCTION: 8horses GmbH, Zurich PRODUCER: Michela Pini LOOKING FOR: Sales agent, distributors and coproducers, specially from a country that can provide a shooting location for the tropical or subtropical island. As well as a partner for the studio shoot and VFX postproduction. CONTACT: 8horses GmbH info@8horses.ch www.8horses.ch
SIMON JAQUEMET * 1978. Simon Jaquemet studied Film at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). His award-winning first feature CHRIEG (2014) was selected for numerous international festivals such as San Sebastian, Sao Paulo and Karlovy Vary. His second feature film THE INNOCENT (2018) premiered at TIFF. It became a festival hit and won the Swiss Film Award for Best Actress 2019.
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35-year-old Antonia wants nothing more than to lead a normal life with a husband and child. But how is that possible if she only feels sexually attracted to under-age boys?
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ANTONIAS GARTEN directed by Christine Repond
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Sonny and his wife Akiko are overwhelmed with delight when their first son is born. Sonny is a computer scientist working on a high-profile project that consists of creating a brand new, complex AI life form that exists on a selfcontained, virtual island. When Sonny and Akiko’s son is diagnosed with a rare, life threatening disease, their blissful life as young parents takes a tragic turn.
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SWITZERLAND Fiction SCREENPLAY: Silvia Wolkan, Christine Repond PRODUCTION: Contrast Film Bern PRODUCERS: Stefan Eichenberger, Ivan Madeo LOOKING FOR: World Sales Coproducers from Germany, Austria, Italy CONTACT: Contrast Film Bern info@contrastfilm.ch www.contrastfilm.ch
CHRISTINE REPOND * 1981. Christine Repond studied Directing at the Macromedia Academy in Munich. In her work she focuses on uncomfortable topics that are socially taboo. Her first feature SILVER FOREST (2011) received eight awards, including the Max Ophüls Prize for Best Directing. Her last feature VACUUM (2017) premiered in competition at Tallinn Black Nights, winning the Jury Prize for Best Actress.
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BAGHDAD IN MY SHADOW directed by Samir
Amal, a wife in hiding, Taufiq, a writer, and Muhanad, a gay IT-specialist, all meet at Café Abu Nawas, a popular hangout for Iraqi exiles in London. Instigated by a Salafist preacher, Taufiq’s nephew Nasseer, a fanatic religious youth, attacks his uncle and turns everyone’s life upside down.
Dschoint Ventschr, Zurich / Coin Film, Cologne / Ipso Facto, London / SRF / Art City Productions, Baghdad
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WORLD SALES: Global Screen GmbH, Munich WORLD PREMIERE: Locarno Film Festival 2019
Fiction
SWITZERLAND / GERMANY / UNITED KINGDOM / IRAQ Fiction, 105 min., 2019 ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: English, Arabic SCREENPLAY: Samir, Furat al Jamil CAST: Haytham Abdulrazaq, Zahraa Ghandour, Shervin Alenabi PRODUCTION:
BEYOND THE HORIZON FEATU
SWITZERLAND / BELGIUM Fiction, 90 min., 2019 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: French SCREENPLAY: Joanne Giger CAST: Luc Bruchez, Laetitia Casta PRODUCTION: Box Productions sàrl, Lausanne / Entre Chien et Loup, Brussels / RTS / RTBF / Teleclub / BeTv
WORLD SALES: Be For Films, Brussels www.beforfilms.com WORLD PREMIERE: San Sebastian 2019
Fiction
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1976. A scorching summer. On the family farm, 13-year-old Gus senses that the heat is not only affecting the animals and the fields, but is also disrupting the behaviour of the adults around him. During his vacation, Gus will witness the end of his father’s traditional world of farming as well as the explosion of his family nucleus. In a few months, he will have left his childhood innocence behind for good.
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LE MILIEU DE L’HORIZON directed by Delphine Lehericey
LOS directed by Roman Vital, Sandro Zollinger
SWITZERLAND Expanded Cinema, 25 min., 2020 ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: French, English, German SCREENPLAY: Sandro Zollinger PRODUCTION: Montezuma AG, Zurich / Klubkrahn Filmproduktion, Zurich / SRF WORLD RIGHTS: Primatoni Filmverleih, Zurich www.primatoni.ch WORLD PREMIERE: Sundance Film Festival 2020
“His life to date has been nothing but deferral, delay, skirmishes. Now it is serious. – Finally.” Searching for stability in his life, Peter Thaler sets out on a hike in the Swiss mountains, from which he will never return. Inspired by true events, a story of everyday and final farewells, thus opening the door to eternity a tiny crack.
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Expanded Cinema
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Documentary
written & directed by Emanuele Gerosa
ITALY / SWITZERLAND / LEBANON Documentary, 82 min., 2019 ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: English, Italian, Arabic PRODUCTION: Graffiti Doc, Torino / Amka Films Productions SA, Savosa / RAI Cinema / RSI / Itar Productions, Beirut WORLD SALES: Fandango, Rome www.fandango.it WORLD PREMIERE: Rome Film Festival 2019
Abdallah and Jehad are friends born in the Gaza Strip, they know little about freedom. Abdallah, founder and leader of the Gaza Parkour Team, left Gaza and moved to Italy to become a professional athlete, but now he can barely survive. Jehad still lives segregated in the Strip, coaching youngsters and caring for his sick father, but he doesn’t stop dreaming of leaving that tormented land.
written & directed by Thomas Balmès
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FRANCE / UNITED STATES / GERMANY / SWITZERLAND Documentary, 99 min., 2019 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: Dzongkha PRODUCTION: TBC Productions, Paris / Participant Media, Beverly Hills / zero one film, Berlin / Close Up Films, Geneva / ARTE / RTS WORLD RIGHTS: Participant Media, Beverly Hills www.participantmedia.com WORLD PREMIERE: TIFF 2019
THE FORUM DAS FORUM directed by Marcus Vetter
In times of rampant populism and increasing distrust of the elite, the filmmaker accompanies the 81-year-old founder of the controversial World Economic Forum over the period of one year in his efforts to implement his leitmotif: to improve the state of the world. Can the WEF contribute to solving global problems? Or is it rather an integral part of the problem?
GERMANY / SWITZERLAND Documentary, 115 min., 2019 ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: German, English, Swiss-German PRODUCTION: Gebrueder Beetz Filmproduktion, Berlin / Dschoint Ventschr, Zurich / Filmperspektive, Stuttgart / SWR / SRF / SRG SSR / BR / HR / VPRO WORLD SALES: Rise and Shine World Sales, Berlin www.riseandshine-berlin.de WORLD PREMIERE: DOK Leipzig 2019
Documentary
Peyangki is a young monk living in a rural monastery in Bhutan. When television and the internet eventually come to the remote country, Peyangki is lured by the power of smartphones, which now compete with the structured daily rituals of monastery life. Peyangki’s journey challenges us to reassess our own perceptions of relatedness and self-worth in an age of unparalleled connectivity.
Documentary
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SING ME A SONG
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THE YEAR OF THE DISCOVERY
SPAIN / SWITZERLAND Documentary, 200 min., 2020 ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: Spanish SCREENPLAY: Luis López Carrasco, Raúl Liarte PRODUCTION AND WORLD RIGHTS: LaCima Producciones, Madrid www.lacimaproducciones.com Alina film, Geneva www.alinafilm.com WORLD PREMIERE: IFFR 2020
In 1992, the Barcelona Olympics and the Seville Expo presented Spain as a modern and dynamic country. However, in Cartagena, Spain, the protests due to the industrial crisis provoked an uprising resulting in the burning down of the Parliament of the Autonomous Community. In a café, neighbours, young and unemployed people share their dreams, worries and family stories. Little by little, the echo of the revolt of 1992 approaches.
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Documentary
EL AÑO DEL DESCUBRIMIENTO directed by Luis López Carrasco
THE ZURICH LIAISON – WAGNER’S ONE AND ONLY LOVE
Fiction
written & directed by Jens Neubert SWITZERLAND Fiction, 104 min., 2019 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: English CAST: Sophie Auster, Joonas Saartamo, Julienne Pfeil, Rüdiger Hauffe, Roland Bonjour, Leonardo Nigro, Patrick Rapold, Dagna Vinet PRODUCTION AND WORLD RIGHTS: Syquali Crossmedia AG, Zurich www.syquali.com WORLD PREMIERE: Shanghai International Film Festival 2019 MORE INFORMATION: www.thezurichliaison.com
Over 170 years ago Switzerland was the only country in Europe with a democratic constitution. Richard Wagner lived in Zurich from 1849 until 1858. Mathilde Wesendonck and her husband venerate Wagner. While in Zurich, Wagner works on his new opera: “Tristan and Isolde”. Mathilde is turning from a loving mother into a muse of the new music. The whole city is talking about this Zurich liaison.
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WAKE UP ON MARS RÉVEIL SUR MARS written & directed by Dea Gjinovci
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WHEN HITLER STOLE PINK RABBIT ALS HITLER DAS ROSA KANINCHEN STAHL directed by Caroline Link Berlin, 1933: Anna is only nine years old when her life changes completely: To escape the Nazis, her father has to flee to Zurich; his family follows him a short time later. Anna leaves everything behind, including her beloved pink rabbit, and must face a new life full of challenges and privations. Based on the bestseller of the same name by Judith Kerr.
Documentary LOLA AT BERLINALE 19
SWITZERLAND / FRANCE Documentary, 74 min., 2020 ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: Albanian, Swedish PRODUCTION: Alva Film Production, Geneva / Mélisande Films, Paris / Dea Gjinovci, Geneva / RTS / in association with Amok Films, Paris / Heidi Fleisher, Paris WORLD SALES: CAT&Docs, Paris www.catndocs.com
GERMANY / SWITZERLAND Fiction, 119 min., 2019 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: German SCREENPLAY: Caroline Link, Anna Brüggemann CAST: Riva Krymalowski, Carla Juri PRODUCTION: Sommerhaus Filmproduktion, Ludwigsburg / La Siala Entertainment, Dinhard / Hugofilm, Zurich / Warner Bros., Hamburg / SRF / SRG SSR
WORLD SALES: Beta Cinema, Oberhaching www.betacinema.com
Fiction
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A 10-year-old Roma boy living in Sweden attempts to come to terms with the mysterious Resignation syndrome that has put his two sisters in a coma. The tightknit family is trying to rebuild a normal life far from their native Kosovo where they were victims of persecution. While their entire future hangs in the balance of a pending asylum request, the little boy dreams of building a spaceship to leave it all behind.
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Spring 1995 – after the closure of the Needle Park and the public drug scene in Zurich, eleven-year-old Mia and her heroin addicted mother Sandrine are relocated to the countryside. While caring for her mother, Mia spends time with her imaginary friend and a gang of local teenage misfits. These friendships finally give her the strength to rebel and break free from her abusive mother.
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SWITZERLAND Fiction, 100 min., 2020 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: Swiss-German SCREENPLAY: André Küttel PRODUCTION: C-FILMS AG, Zurich / SRF / SRG SSR / Teleclub CAST: Sarah Spale, Luna Mwezi, Delio Malär, Jerry Hoffmann, Anouk Petri WORLD RIGHTS: C-FILMS AG, Zurich www.c-films.com
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PARADISE WAR – THE STORY OF BRUNO MANSER
Fiction
BRUNO MANSER – DIE STIMME DES REGENWALDES directed by Niklaus Hilber SWITZERLAND Fiction, 141 min., 2019 ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: English, Swiss-German, Penan SCREENPLAY: Niklaus Hilber, Patrick Tönz, David Clemens PRODUCTION: A Film Company / Das Kollektiv / SRF / Teleclub / Superfilm Filmproduktionen CAST: Sven Schelker, Nick Kelesau, Elizabeth Ballang WORLD SALES: TrustNordisk ApS, Hvidovre www.trustnordisk.com WORLD PREMIERE: Zurich Film Festival 2019
1984: Searching for an experience beyond modern civilisation, Bruno Manser travels into the jungles of Borneo and finds the nomadic Penan tribe. When the existence of the Penan is threatened by relentless deforestation, Manser takes up the fight against logging with a courage and determination that makes him one of the most renowned and credible environmentalists of his time. Based on a true story.
SWITZERLAND Fiction, 90 min., 2019 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: French SCREENPLAY: Nicolas Frey, François-Christophe Marzal PRODUCTION: Point Prod, Geneva / Light Night Production, Geneva / SRG SSR / RTS / Teleclub CAST: Pierre Mifsud, Pascal Demolon, Sabine Timoteo, Jean-Luc Bideau WORLD RIGHTS: Point Prod, Geneva www.pointprod.ch
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After a long period of isolation, Antonin, a young man suffering from persisting exhaustion, rediscovers the world at a rehabilitation center for birds. In this strange place wounded birds and lost souls cohabit, lulled by the ubiquitous sounds of airplanes.
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L’ÎLE AUX OISEAUX written & directed by Maya Kosa, Sergio da Costa
SWITZERLAND Documentary, 61 min., 2019 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: French PRODUCTION: Close Up Films, Geneva / RTS WORLD RIGHTS: Close Up Films, Geneva www.closeupfilms.ch FESTIVALS (SELECTION): Locarno Film Festival 2019 San Sebastian 2019 DOK Leipzig 2019 RIDM Montreal 2019 Mar del Plata 2019 IFFR 2020
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In the beginning of spring 1970, the small village of Monchoux in Valais is experiencing unusual agitation. Is it because of the vote on the women’s right to vote? Or because of the upcoming referendum on the expulsion of foreigners? No, it’s worse: the village brass band has imploded! Half of the village will say it is Aloys’ fault, the other half will respond that it is Pierre’s. The dissent will be political, musical and amorous.
Documentary
TAMBOUR BATTANT directed by François-Christophe Marzal
Fiction
BOX OFFICE HITS
ROLL THE DRUM!
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SWITZERLAND Fiction, 83 min., 2019 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: Italian PRODUCTION: Amka Films, Savosa / RSI CAST: Barbara Giordano, Antonio Bannò, Gilles Privat WORLD SALES: Summerside Int’l, Rome
written & directed by Klaudia Reynicke
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LOVE ME TENDER
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Fiction
summerside-international.com
FESTIVALS (SELECTION): Locarno Film Festival 2019 TIFF 2019 BFI London Film Festival 2019 AFI Fest Los Angeles 2019 PÖFF Black Nights Tallinn 2019 Solothurner Filmtage 2020
Seconda, 32 years old, is ready for anything to gain her freedom. Suffering from agoraphobia, she is incapable of leaving her home, but when she finally succeeds, she must face new challenges that push her limits even further. This assertive and tough anti-super heroine will do it in her own way.
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CAST: Michael Spencer, Marco Joel Fernandes WORLD SALES: WIDE, Paris FESTIVALS (SELECTION): Locarno Film Festival 2019 Busan International Film 2019 Mostra Sao Paulo 2019
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SWITZERLAND Fiction, 107 min., 2019 ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese SCREENPLAY: Basil Da Cunha, Saadi, Martin Drouot PRODUCTION:
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After eight years in a correctional school, Spira returns to Reboleira, a slum which is being demolished in the Lisbon suburbs. While he goes back to his friends and family, Kikas, one of the neighbourhood’s old drug dealers, makes it clear that he is not welcome.
directed by Micha Lewinsky
SWITZERLAND Fiction, 99 min., 2020 ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: German, Swiss-German SCREENPLAY: Plinio Bachmann, Barbara Sommer, Micha Lewinsky PRODUCTION: Langfilm / Bernard Lang AG, Freienstein / SRF / Teleclub CAST: Philippe Graber, Miriam Stein, Mike Müller, Michael Maertens WORLD RIGHTS: Langfilm / Bernard Lang AG, Freienstein www.langfilm.ch WORLD PREMIERE: Solothurner Filmtage 2020
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In 1989, Switzerland was shocked by a scandal: over 900’000 people were monitored for their political convictions. The zealous policeman Viktor Schuler is sent to the Zurich Schauspielhaus to observe the left-wing theatre scene. But soon he falls in love with the actress Odile, whom he is supposed to monitor. There is no going back: He must choose between his mission and his heart.
FESTIVAL FAVOURITES
MOSKAU EINFACH!
Fiction
ONE-WAY TO MOSCOW
OPEN SEASON
As CFO, Alexander Meier fights for the survival of the longestablished Walser company – dutifully, quickly and perfectionist to the point of self-abandonment. When Hans-Werner Brockmann, an unscrupulous top manager, is appointed, he gets involved in a power struggle that increasingly throws him off track. Before the ruins of his existence, Alexander sees only one possibility left to take revenge on Brockmann.
SWITZERLAND Fiction, 90 min., 2020 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: German SCREENPLAY: Simone Schmid PRODUCTION: Turnus Film AG, Zurich / SRF/ Teleclub CAST: Stefan Kurt, Ulrich Tukur, Sarah Viktoria Frick, Pierre Siegenthaler, Therese Affolter, Anna Tenta WORLD RIGHTS: Turnus Film AG, Zurich www.turnusfilm.com WORLD PREMIERE: Solothurner Filmtage 2020
Fiction
JAGDZEIT directed by Sabine Boss
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Before an office complex is set to be demolished, it expresses one last wish: a love story. It centres around desire, security, and a melody that runs through the entire fabric of the building. So when darkness descends and everything falls silent, the routine lives of those within its walls sparkle like stars, paving the way for intimate chance encounters and absurd humor to unfold.
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SWITZERLAND Fiction, 117 min., 2019 ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: Swiss-German, Arabic PRODUCTION: Abrakadabra Films AG, Zurich / SRF / Teleclub CAST: Kathrin Veith, Duraid A. Ghaieb, Jeanne Devos, Daniel Kasztura, Vilmar Bieri , This Maag WORLD RIGHTS: Abrakadabra Films AG, Zurich www.abrakadabra.ch FESTIVALS (SELECTION): PÖFF Black Nights Tallinn 2019 Max Ophüls Preis Saarbrücken 2020 Solothurner Filmtage 2020
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written & directed by Carmen Stadler
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SEKURITAS
ALL CATS ARE GREY IN THE DARK
Short Documentary
NACHTS SIND ALLE KATZEN GRAU written & directed by Lasse Linder SWITZERLAND Documentary, 18 min., 2019 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: German PRODUCTION: Lucerne School of Art and Design (HSLU) / SRF WORLD RIGHTS: Lucerne School of Art and Design (HSLU) Video Department www.hslu.ch/video FESTIVAL DISTRIBUTOR: Some Shorts, Nijmegen www.someshorts.com FESTIVALS (SELECTION): Locarno Film Festival 2019 TIFF 2019 IDFA 2019
He calls himself Catman. Christian lives with his two cats Marmelade and Katjuscha. They are inseparable. As he yearns to become a father, he has his beloved Marmelade fertilized by an exclusive tomcat abroad.
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CAGED BIRDS
STÜRM: BIS WIR TOT SIND ODER FREI
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Barbara Hug is a young radical lawyer fighting Switzerland’s antiquated prison system in the 1980s. Walter Stürm is a charmer and chancer. Taunting the establishment with his outrageous thefts and media savvy he’s in and often escaping out of jail and becomes known as the Jailbreak King. When the two meet an unlikely alliance is formed.
Fiction
WORLD RIGHTS: Contrast Film, Zurich www.contrastfilm.ch
SWITZERLAND / GERMANY Fiction, 117 min. ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: German, Swiss-German SCREENPLAY: Dave Tucker, Ivan Madeo, Oliver Keidel, Oliver Rihs CAST: Joel Basman, Marie Leuenberger, Anatole Taubman, Jella Haase PRODUCTION: Contrast Film, Zurich / Niama Film, Stuttgart / SRF / Teleclub / BR / ARTE / Port au Prince, Berlin / HR SWISS PRODUCERS: Ivan Madeo, Stefan Eichenberger
OLIVER RIHS * 1971. Oliver Rihs is a Swiss director, screenwriter and producer since 1995. BROMBEERCHEN (2002) was his first feature-length film, followed by SCHWARZE SCHAFE (2006), which attained cult status in Berlin, his adoptive home as of 1999. He is founder and partner of Port au Prince Film & Kultur Produktion since 2008.
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MARC WILKINS * 1976. Marc Wilkins has joint Swiss and British citizenship. He works as screenwriter and director in New York and is known for his award-winning short film BON VOYAGE (2016), which screened at numerous international film festivals and won the Swiss Film Award for Best Short Film as well as the award for Best Live Action Short Over 15 Minutes at Palm Springs International ShortFest. HUNGRY SAINTS is his first feature-length film.
WORLD RIGHTS: SWITZERLAND Dschoint Ventschr Fiction, 90 min. Filmproduktion AG, Zurich ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: www.dvfilm.ch English, Spanish SCREENPLAY: Lani-Rain Feltham, Marc Wilkins CAST: Magaly Solier, Marcelo Durand, Adriano Durand, Tara Thaller, Simon Käser PRODUCTION: Dschoint Ventschr Filmproduktion AG, Zurich / SRF PRODUCER: Joël Louis Jent
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A girl wants to be a Llama so she can spit at people. Two boys pray to a saint to lose their virginity and their mother quits her job to fulfill a little man’s fantasy of running a burito delivery service. As the heat of the summer bakes the streets of New York, people fall in and out of love, devour each other’s dreams, and seek their revenge.
Fiction
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KOMBINAT
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written & directed by Gabriel Tejedor 28
Magnitogorsk, a mining and industrial town in the heart of Russia, lives in the backdrop of its gigantic Kombinat’s rusty smokestacks. Maria teaches salsa, one of the many activities organized by the Kombinat. Sasha, a steel worker, finds in dancing an escape from the daily pressures of the steel plant. His brother, Guenia, and his wife have decided to leave the town and its permanent pollution, the cause of their daughter’s mental handicap.
Documentary
WORLD RIGHTS: IDIP Films, Geneva www.idipfilms.com
SWITZERLAND Documentary, 75 min. ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: Russian PRODUCTION: IDIP Films, Geneva / RTS PRODUCER: Xavier Derigo
GABRIEL TEJEDOR * 1978. Gabriel Tejedor works as an independent print and radio journalist for Radio Télévision Suisse. Mainly focused on human history in Russia and former soviet republics, he directed LA TRACE (2014), about Kolyma’s region inhabitants, then MAYKAYA STR. (2017) that received a special mention at the Visions du Réel festival and was selected at various festivals among them for IDFA.
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directed by Bettina Oberli
SWITZERLAND Fiction, 110 min. ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: German SCREENPLAY: Cooky Ziesche, Bettina Oberli CAST: Marthe Keller, André Jung, Birgit Minichmayr, Jacob Matschenz, Anatole Taubman, Agnieszka Grochowska PRODUCTION: Zodiac Pictures Ltd, Zurich / SRF / SRG SSR / Teleclub PRODUCERS: Lukas Hobi, Reto Schaerli
WORLD SALES: The Match Factory, Cologne www.the-match-factory.com
Fiction
BETTINA OBERLI * 1972. Bettina Oberli studied Film at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) and is known for her award-winning first feature NORTH WIND (2004), which premiered in San Sebastian. Her second feature LATE BLOOMERS (2006), became a huge box office hit in Switzerland and was selected for several international film festivals. WITH THE WIND (2018) premiered at the Locarno Film Festival and was honoured with the Variety Piazza Grande Award.
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The Polish woman Wanda, 35, looks after Joseph, 70, in his family villa by the lake. She is there for him around the clock and also helps his wife Elsa, 75. The youngest son Gregi, 28, likes her very much. The work is poorly paid, but Wanda needs the money for her own family in Poland. Since everyone lives under one roof, Wanda gets an intimate view of their family life. So intimate that Wanda unexpectedly becomes pregnant.
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VON FISCHEN UND MENSCHEN
written & directed by Stefanie Klemm
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Happiness is complete when Judith, her 6-year-old daughter Milla and her assistant, former drug addict Gabriel, get together on the remote fish farm in the Bernese Jura. But then Milla tragically dies in an accident and the idyll breaks.
WORLD RIGHTS: Dschoint Ventschr Filmproduktion AG, Zurich www.dvfilm.ch
Fiction
OF FISH AND MEN
SWITZERLAND Fiction, 90 min. ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: Swiss-German CAST: Sarah Spale, Matthias Britschgi, Sarah Hostettler, Julian Koechlin, Michael Neuenschwander, Lukas Kubik, Lisanne Hirzel, Viviana Aliberti, Manfred Liechti PRODUCTION: Dschoint Ventschr Filmproduktion AG, Zurich / SRF PRODUCER: Sereina Gabathuler
STEFANIE KLEMM * 1966 in Germany. Stefanie Klemm studied German and Psychology at University of Bern. She worked as teacher and dancer. In 2010 she completed her MA in Film at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). She works as author, film director and is the owner of the production company bluebox film.
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CHRISTIAN JOHANNES KOCH * 1986. Christian Johannes Koch is a director, scriptwriter and lecturer in story development. His work oscillates between different media and institutional contexts. After studying photography at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst in Leipzig, he studied film directing at the Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf and graduated with a Master’s degree. The social drama SPAGAT is his directorial feature-film debut. He lives in Zurich and Berlin.
SWITZERLAND Fiction, 110 min. ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: Swiss-German, Russian SCREENPLAY: Christian Johannes Koch, Josa Sesink CAST: Rachel Braunschweig, Alexey Serebryakov, Masha Demiri, Michael Neuenschwander, Nellie Hächler PRODUCTION: CognitoFilms, Zurich / SRF PRODUCERS: Rajko Jazbec, Dario Schoch
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Winter, in a rural area. Marina, a teacher in her mid-forties, leads a quiet family life with her husband and daughter. But appearances are deceptive. In secret she has an affair with Artem, the father of her student Ulyana. Both have lived in Switzerland for years without a residence permit. When the girl is caught stealing, the game of hide-andseek comes to light and puts everyone involved in trouble.
WORLD RIGHTS: CognitoFilms, Zurich www.cognito-films.ch
Fiction
directed by Christian Johannes Koch
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THE BRAIN
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(working title) written & directed by Jean-Stéphane Bron 32
Today, the race is on between human and artificial intelligence. While researchers are slowly uncovering the mysteries of the human brain, dramatic progress is being made in the field of AI.
Documentary
WORLD SALES: MK2 Films, Paris mk2films.com
SWITZERLAND / FRANCE Documentary, 100 min. ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: English, French PRODUCTION: Bande à part Films, Lausanne / Les Films Pelléas, Paris / RTS / SRG SSR SWISS PRODUCERS: Lionel Baier, Marie-Lou Pahud
JEAN-STÉPHANE BRON * 1969 in Lausanne. Jean-Stéphane Bron is one of Switzerland’s most acclaimed and award-winning docu mentary filmmakers. He is especially known for his films CORN IN PARLIAMENT (2003), CLEVELAND VERSUS WALL STREET (2010) and THE BLOCHER EXPERIENCE (2013), which were screened and awarded at numerous international festivals. THE PARIS OPERA (2017) had a theatrical release in more than 20 countries around the world.
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RAMON & SILVAN ZÜRCHER * 1982. Ramon Zürcher studied Visual Arts at the Bern School of Arts (HKB) and Film at the DFFB in Berlin. * 1982. Silvan Zürcher studied Philosophy, Film and German in Zurich and Bern and Production at the DFFB. Their award-winning debut film THE STRANGE LITTLE CAT (2013) premiered at the Forum of the Berlinale and has been shown at over 80 festivals, such as TIFF, Cannes, Viennale and New Directors / New Films in New York.
WORLD RIGHTS: SWITZERLAND Beauvoir Films, Geneva Fiction, 90 min. www.beauvoirfilms.ch ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: German SCREENPLAY: Ramon Zürcher, Silvan Zürcher CAST: Henriette Confurius, Liliane Amuat, Ursina Lardi, Flurin Giger, André M. Hennicke, Ivan Georgiev, Dagna Litzenberger Vinet, Lea Draeger, Sabine Timoteo, Birte Schnöink PRODUCTION: Beauvoir Films, Geneva / SRF PRODUCERS: Aline Schmid, Adrian Blaser
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Lisa moves out. Mara is left behind. All sorts of commotion transpire. As boxes are being moved, tile joints renewed and cupboards built, abysses begin to open up, yearnings fill the room and an emotional rollercoaster is set in motion. A tragicomic catastrophe film. A poetic ballad about change and transience.
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SPRING 2020
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THE GIRL AND THE SPIDER
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DAS MÄDCHEN UND DIE SPINNE
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ZAHORÍ written & directed by Marí Alessandrini In the middle of the Patagonian steppe, 13-year-old Mora is in rebellion against school and asserts herself in front of her parents, Western ecologists whose dream of freedom turns into a nightmare. Mora must cross the steppe to attend boarding school with her little brother Himeko. One day, however, she refuses to go, she wants to help her only friend, Nazareno, an old Mapuche gaucho who has lost his horse in the meanders of the steppe.
SWITZERLAND / ARGENTINA / WORLD RIGHTS: CHILE / FRANCE Le Laboratoire Central, Fiction, 100 min. Lausanne www.lelaboratoirecentral.com ORIGINAL LANGUAGES: English, Italian, Mapudungun, Spanish CAST: Lara Viaena Tortosa, Sabine Timoteo, Cirilo Wesley, Carol Jones, Francisca Castillo, Santos Curapil, Michael Silva PRODUCTION: Le Laboratoire Central, Lausanne / El Calefón, Cordoba / Cinestacion, Santiago / Norte Productions, Paris SWISS PRODUCER: Nadejda Magnenat
MARÍ ALESSANDRINI * 1979 in Argentine. Early on Marí Alessandrini developed a keen interest in photography and the performing arts. She worked as a photographer, then as a director and acrobat in a circus company. In 1985 she moved to Geneva and trained in directing and visual arts at the Geneva School of Art & Design (HEAD – Genève). She directed several short films and was selected at the Cinéfondation residence at the Cannes Film Festival to develop this first featurelength fiction film ZAHORÍ, currently in post-production.
WINTER 2020/21
A PIECE OF SKY
AZOR
EIN STÜCK HIMMEL by Michael Koch
by Andreas Fontana, director of PEDRO M, 1981 SWITZERLAND / ARGENTINA / FRANCE Fiction CAST: Fabrizio Rongione, Stéphanie Cléau, Elli Medeiros PRODUCTION: Alina film, Geneva / Ruda cine, Buenos Aires / Local Films, Paris / RTS WORLD RIGHTS: Alina film, Geneva
SPRING 2021
SPRING 2021
CHROMA
OLGA
by Jean-Laurent Chautems, director of NO LONGER THERE
by Elie Grappe
SWITZERLAND / BELGIUM Fiction CAST: Solène Rigot, Aurélien Caeyman, Patrick Chesnais PRODUCTION: P.S. Productions Sàrl, Châtel-St-Denis / Saga Film, Brussels WORLD SALES: Film Republic, London
SWITZERLAND / FRANCE Fiction CAST: Nastya Budiashkina, Caterina Barloggio, Jérôme Martin PRODUCTION: Point Prod, Geneva / Cinéma Defacto, Paris WORLD SALES: Pulsar Content, Paris SOLD TERRITORY: France, Canal+
SUMMER 2021
SPRING 2021
THE LINE
UNREST
LA LIGNE by Ursula Meier, director of SISTER and HOME
UNRUEH by Cyril Schäublin, director of THOSE WHO ARE FINE and three time award winner of Feature Lab at TFL 2019
SWITZERLAND / FRANCE / BELGIUM Fiction CAST: Stéphanie Blanchoud, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi PRODUCTION: Bandita Films, Geneva / Les Films de Pierre, Paris / Les Films du Fleuve, Liège WORLD SALES: Memento Films International, Paris
SWITZERLAND Fiction PRODUCTION AND WORLD RIGHTS: Seeland Filmproduktion GmbH, Zurich
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SWITZERLAND / GERMANY Fiction CAST: Michèle Brand, Simon Wisler PRODUCTION: hugofilm features GmbH, Zurich / Pandora Film Produktion, Cologne / SRF / SRG SSR WORLD SALES: New Europe Film Sales, Warsaw
IN PRODUCTION
SPRING 2021
Supporting the theatrical release of Swiss feature films in twelve selected non-European countries.
FILM SALES SUPPORT A scheme by the European Film Promotion (EFP) for the promotion of European films outside of Europe.
Its aim is to strengthen the visibility and the distribution of Swiss films outside of Europe. Eligible countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China / Hong Kong, Colombia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea and USA. Applications must be submitted by the foreign distributor via the Swiss producer.
CLASSIC: A scheme also available to European and Swiss sales companies selling Swiss films at selected festivals and markets. READY-TO-USE DIGITAL PROMOTION CAMPAIGNS: This scheme encourages the creation of innovative universal digital promotion strategies (B2B/B2C) by European sales companies. Applications must be submitted online by the European sales company.
A support measure by SWISS FILMS in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Office of Culture (FOC). www.swissfilms.ch/en/distribution Contact: support@swissfilms.ch
A support measure by the Swiss Federal Office of Culture (FOC), Media Desk Suisse and SWISS FILMS. Guidelines and application: www.efp-online.com/en/project_market/fss.php
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SUPPORT MEASURES
DISTRIBUTION SUPPORT NON-EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
VOD SUPPORT
Supporting the distribution of Swiss films on selected international VOD platforms.
DISTRIBUTION SUPPORT EUROPEAN COUNTRIES Supporting the theatrical release of Swiss feature films in Europe.
Its aim is to increase the visibility and the online distribution of Swiss films. The subsidies are granted according to the “Guidelines VOD Support”. Applications must be submitted by the Swiss rights holder.
Its aim is to strengthen the visibility and the distribution of Swiss films in Europe. The subsidies are granted according to the “Guidelines Funding for the distribution of Swiss films and coproductions in foreign countries”. Applications must be submitted by the European distributor via the Swiss producer.
A support measure by SWISS FILMS in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Office of Culture (FOC). www.swissfilms.ch/en/vod Contact: support@swissfilms.ch
A support measure by the Swiss Federal Office of Culture (FOC), administrated by SWISS FILMS. www.bak.admin.ch Contact: support@swissfilms.ch
VISIT US ALSO AT OUR STANDS AT : Cannes Village International Annecy Mifa Locarno Film Festival Toronto International Film Festival Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Market
SWISS FILMS is supported by
“They’re here! Open up.” Keshavarz in YALDA, A NIGHT FOR FORGIVENESS by Massoud Bakhshi, Berlinale 2020, Generation 14Plus
