As I delve into these captivating narratives, each one seems to mirror a unique facet of our shared human journey. Emmy’s tale resonates profoundly with me, as it echoes the internal battles we all wage for self-discovery and understanding. Julia Niemann’s work is a testament to the truth that we are often our own greatest mysteries.
As a movie enthusiast and reviewer at the Locarno Film Festival’s Alliance 4 Development initiative this year, I can confirm that we’re embracing a diverse range of genres – from heart-wrenching dramas to quirky dark comedies and pulse-pounding thrillers. However, it seems that the 11 selected projects from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland all touch upon some common themes.
1. “Palleschi’s list includes lasting impacts from identity, historical influence, ecological issues, familial bonds, feelings of attachment and detachment, as well as the intense yearning for recognition within society.”
In the movie “I’m Not Here to Make Friends,” written by Julia Niemann, who recently gained arthouse fame with her co-directed Sundance premiere “Veni Vidi Vici” (which caused a stir), the story revolves around Emmy, a participant on a dating reality show. This film will be produced in English.
“Reality TV might be considered the most basic form of entertainment. However, when executed skillfully, it delves into the very essence of human existence, much like films do. It’s a cinematic portrayal of our universal desires: craving for recognition. Why are we so compelled by it? What drives this intense desire to be noticed? And how far are we prepared to go in sacrificing ourselves for that spotlight? Niemann ponders, while Katharina Posch remarks: ‘It’s a polished and vibrant psychological thriller reflecting the narcissistic era we all inhabit.'”
In “Ithaca,” as a movie enthusiast, I’ll delve into the gripping true story that unfolded in ’90s Italy. It revolves around a young protagonist who uncovers a startling revelation about his family: it appears that the very people he calls parents might not be his biological ones at all. Intriguingly, they stand accused of having kidnapped him when he was just a baby.
Producer Chiara Cruciatti notes that during the writing phase, Alessandro and Guido Silei forged a strong bond with the true central figure of the narrative. This relationship was instrumental in shedding light on his deepest conflicts and offering an insightful perspective from within.
In “A Year Without the Summer,” Flurin Giger travels back to the 19th century, where a volcano’s eruption triggers another Ice Age and terrifies a peasant family. The past resurfaces in “6 Months 6 Days” as the wealthiest woman in Germany falls for a young man, who secretly intends to force her family to confront their World War II history. Lastly, a German heiress begins to challenge her family’s heritage in Kim Lêa Sakkal’s “A Paradise Lost.”
According to Solal Coutard, the project they are working on with Claus Herzog-Reichel and Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay is set to be a groundbreaking exploration into privilege and cross-class interactions. This experiment will dive deep into the intricate human relationships that involve mutual dependence.
In the story titled “From Planet Earth,” an enigmatic African boy named Alì, who seems unable to speak, mysteriously appears on the outskirts of a bustling city. He is taken to a mountain hotel serving as a refuge for foreign minors. Over time, he becomes more communicative. However, when things seem to be improving, he is deceived and flees back to the city. It’s worth noting that the director, Luca Magi, has experience working as a social worker in a shelter for migrants and adolescent refugees, as shared by producer Claudio Giapponesi.
“This reality feeds his creativity for this film,” he says.
According to Palleschi’s observation, a shared characteristic among these projects is the mix of narrative elements, an intriguing interplay between realistic and fantastical elements, and the fusion of unique artistic styles with fresh perspectives.
Similar to the film “Hôtel des Thermes,” directed by Maéva Ranaïvojaona and Georg Tiller, the seemingly innocuous ball transforms into something far more ominous when the specters of colonial history resurface.
As a film reviewer, I’d say:
As reported by directors Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu, Bady Minck, and Laurence Lascary, their focus will be on portraying the lasting impacts and ever-present remnants of colonial history, aiming to foster cultural exchange and understanding between different viewpoints.
1. In “Atlantic Mirage” by Hakim Mao, a new hotel is featured as two old friends go to work there, hoping for a brighter tomorrow. However, one mysteriously vanishes, and an unusual event takes place at the exact same instant. Meanwhile, in “Undercurrents” by Beatrice Minger, we follow three generations of women battling the pain of loss and estrangement in a mystical alpine setting. Lastly, “Lost Paradise” by Hugues Harich delves into uncharted territories, depicting a world plagued by water scarcity and two siblings struggling to stay alive.
“Lukas Nathrath’s Tragicomic ‘Bourgeois Paranoia’: A Café Encounter Turned Upside Down”
“As a cinema enthusiast, I’d put it this way: Behind the bright masks they wear, these characters struggle to preserve their dignity, but in the end, their emotions overpower them.” This reflects the director’s observation from his award-winning film “One Last Evening” at the 2022 Locarno’s First Look.
“I’m captivated by the complexities of power struggles and extreme human behavior, and I enjoy portraying the discomfort and absurdity in interpersonal interactions. Our goal is to create a tone that is both tragicomic, similar to ‘One Last Evening,’ but with a darker edge, drawing inspiration from films and shows like ‘Wild Tales’ and ‘Beef.’ This will allow us to present a diverse cast of intricate characters who are teetering on the verge of emotional breakdown.”
Palleschi happily acknowledges that it’s a pleasure to contribute, however small, to the transformation of these projects into films that eventually touch audiences. He’s excited to talk about some recent triumphs, like Mo Harawe’s “The Village Next to Paradise,” which was shown at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard in May, and Willy Hans’s “Der Fleck,” selected for Locarno’s Filmmakers of the Present section.
In the ever-changing landscape of cinema, things seem to be moving at breakneck speed, filled with unpredictability. The business strategies, popular trends, and key players can surge and vanish in the blink of an eye, offering little guidance for what lies ahead. To navigate this dynamic environment, filmmakers must hold onto their distinctiveness, follow their creative instincts, and bring their unique stories to life for their viewers.
“Programs such as Alliance 4 Development play a crucial role by fostering collaborative efforts among filmmakers, which helps create a network of fresh voices and narratives that extend beyond the boundaries of their individual nations.”
Alliance 4 Development: The 2024 Lineup
“6 Months 6 Days” (6 Mois 6 jours)
Dir: Michale Boganim
Juliana Kant is the wealthiest woman in Germany. When she encounters Raphaël, she succumbs to his charm, endangering her structured and protocol-driven existence. Raphaël, however, is not who he claims to be. He is determined to force the Kants to confront their past. “It explores generational silences around the Holocaust,” argues Mathilde Leite, who produces with Dorothe Beinemeier for Vilanova Productions (France) and Red Balloon Film (Germany). “Drawing inspiration from the Quandt family’s collaboration with the Nazi regime, the film focuses on the relationship between a heiress and a grandson of a death camp victim.” Eyeing a 2026 shoot, it will craft an “intimate exploration” of the characters’ confrontation with history. “This project reflected Michale’s work as a filmmaker [and ability to] bridge fiction and memory, identity and universality,” she adds.
“A Paradise Lost”
Dir: Kim Lêa Sakkal
Title character Nina, a German heiress, is the last vestige of a crumbling Beirut empire her father constructed. When an unexpected paralysis upends her existence, Nico, a young Lebanese nurse, is brought on board to aid her. As events unfold, Nico becomes entangled in the estate’s secrets, leading to role reversals between the women and shifting loyalties among the staff. Solal Coutard, producer of the upcoming film by Kim Lêa Sakkal, describes it as a tale of “ghosts from the past and present, of lingering colonial influences, of personal grief, motherhood, and womanhood.” According to Coutard, who is producing for France’s Collective Cinema in collaboration with Claus Herzog-Reichel and Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay (Filmfaust, Germany), Sakkal has a knack for delving into human behavior with a “thriller twist,” promising an insightful exploration throughout the enigma.
“Atlantic Mirage” (“La Fin de L’été”)
Dir: Hakim Mao
Director Hakim Mao invites viewers to join him in Agadir, Morocco during late summer. There, Younès and Ismaïl, lifelong friends, work at the Atlantic Mirage hotel and engage with tourists. They dream of a better life by saving their earnings. However, one day, Ismaïl mysteriously vanishes as the ocean exhibits an unusual event. Determined to find answers, Younès embarks on an investigation. As for “Atlantic Mirage,” it’s a daring film that explores queer themes within the enigmatic city of Agadir, rich in history and allure. The film is produced by Furyo Films, a French production company founded by Emma Binet, Charles Meresse, and Adrien Barrouillet.
“A Year Without the Summer” (“Ein Jahr ohne Sommer”)
Dir: Flurin Giger
As a filmmaker who has spent years delving into the complexities of human existence and our relationship with nature, I find myself deeply intrigued by Aline Schmid’s upcoming production “A Year Without the Summer.” Hailing from Beauvoir Films in Switzerland and co-produced by Cecile Tollu-Polonowski at Match Factory Productions Gmbh in Germany, this film promises to be a captivating exploration of resilience and survival in the face of catastrophic natural events.
“Bourgeois Paranoia” (“Bourgeoise paranoia”)
Dir: Lukas Nathrath
Klinkerfilm Production, known for successful collaborations like “Wajib” and “A Place Called Dignity”, presents a new film by Lukas Nathrath, recognized for his work in “One Last Evening.” Collaborating with Sebastian Jakob Doppelbauer on the script, Nathrath produces alongside Linus Günther. As previously mentioned by EbMaster, this film is an episodic dark tragicomedy that explores themes of rejection and revenge among five characters. Their lives intersect at a bustling café in Hamburg over the course of a dramatic week. A waiter, pushed to his limit, finally fights back against humiliation; an aspiring author, eager to meet her literary hero, is falsely accused of theft; a spurned lover develops an obsession and a roommate interview ends in violent confrontation. According to the director, “Bourgeois Paranoia” delves into the underlying tensions between societal expectations and individual desires, reflecting the strains of everyday life.
“From Planet Earth” (“Dal pianeta terra”)
Dir: Luca Magi
As a filmmaker with extensive experience in documenting real-life stories, I find the upcoming project “It’s a very peculiar coming-of-age story” to be an intriguing and poignant exploration of societal invisibility. Having worked on numerous projects that delve into the complexities of human existence, I appreciate the director’s intent to shed light on the often overlooked lives of people in our society.
“Hôtel des Thermes”
Dir: Maéva Ranaïvojaona, Georg Tiller
Featuring Lucas Englander and Yoli Fuller, this film promises a lingering post-party unease: a lavish masquerade ball at a grand hotel in Madagascar takes an unexpected turn into violence. This production is led by Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu, Bady Minck, and Laurence Lascary, with Sabine Lancelin handling the film’s striking visual style. The producers have shared that the film delves into lesser-known aspects of Madagascar’s history, particularly its connection to European colonialism. Additionally, the blend of artistic styles from auteur films, documentaries, and genre films creates a vibrant and emotional visual experience, setting this project apart. Filming for this ambitious production, co-produced by Austria’s Amour Fou (known for “Hinterland” by Stefan Ruzowitzky) and France’s De L’Autre Côté (“L’Ascension” by Ludovic Bernard), is set to begin in 2025.
“I’m Not Here to Make Friends”
Dir: Julia Niemann
Julia Niemann has gained acclaim in art-house cinema through “Veni Vidi Vici,” and she’s also co-written Gastón Solnicki’s upcoming “Tristes Trópicos.” Currently, she’s working on a character named Emmy, who participates in a reality show. Along with 15 other women, Emmy resides in a villa on a secluded island, vying for a man’s affection. However, the other contestants aren’t interested in him; they’re fighting primarily for attention. Emmy embarks on a difficult journey that could reveal her true self as the grand prize. Yet, she uncovers something far more intriguing during this process. As Katharina Posch, a producer for Nikolaus Geyrhalter Filmproduktion, explains, “This work plays with horror and satire to narrate a tragic tale that mirrors our own selves because it’s us. Julia Niemann has conducted extensive research behind the scenes of various reality formats, and a significant portion of her story is based on real events.”
“Ithaca” (“Itaca”)
Dir: Alessandro Grande
As someone who has experienced adoption myself, I find this upcoming film to be particularly captivating. The story of a young man named Sebastiano, played by Alessandro Amato, who is about to reunite with his birth family for the first time at the age of 17, resonates deeply with me. Growing up in a small mountain village, raised by my adoptive parents, I too had questions about where I belonged and who I truly was.
“Lost Paradise” (“Paradis perdu”)
Dir: Hugues Harich
As a movie enthusiast, I’m excited to share that filmmaker Hariche, who previously graced us with “Rivière” at Locarno, is set to unveil a world grappling with a water crisis. In an attempt to find solace for my sick younger brother, I make the daring decision to venture towards the border, where it’s said the lands are irrigated and tranquil. My father expresses concern, but I press on, guided by hope rather than fear. Our journey takes us through countless challenges until one fateful day when my father catches up with us atop Red Mountain.
“Undercurrents”
Dir: Beatrice Minger
In her first foray into fiction, Beatrice Minger, known for “E.1027,” presents a drama that embraces the surreal. A small girl named Luisa hurls a stone at the Sihl Dam – after several days, a fissure appears. She believes she’s responsible. Subsequently, she moves in with her grandmother, uncovering the ancestral wounds of loss and estrangement. The director remarks, “This tale underscores how the past persistently permeates the present.” Rhea Plangg and Michela Pini produce for Cinédokké and Lido Pictures, stating, “Set in an alpine region with a history of hardship, the journey of two mothers and a girl’s quest for self-discovery and maternal affection in ‘Undercurrents’ resonates with a global audience. Beatrice Minger is a fresh female voice, unafraid to explore unconventional artistic avenues.”
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2024-08-02 16:20