25/07/2007

Frédéric Maire, artistic director of Locarno Film Festival (August 1-11) for the second year, has placed a strong emphasis on German cinema this edition. The country’s cinema, which has become more and more interesting over the recent years, will be present with 13 productions and co-productions.

Ulrike von Ribbeck debut film Früher oder später will screening in official competition (and was supported by the Cinefondation of Cannes), as will the German-Argentinean co-production Las Vidas Posibles by Sandra Gugliotta.

Maire’s aim to feature debut films results, among others, in Martin Gypkens’ episode film Nichts als Gespenster [+see also:
trailer
film profile] and brings together a cast of outstanding young actors in a screen adaptation of the best-selling collection of short stories by Judith Hermann.

Two works from Germany were also chosen for the new Ici & Ailleurs section: Preussisch Gangstar by Irma-Kinga Stelmach and Bartosz Werner, about two young, unemployed men in East Germany, along with Sylvie Michel’s short A Day in the Country.

Competing in the short film section Leopards of Tomorrow will be Mein Vater schläft by Grzegorz Muskala, along with the Turkish-German film Bende Sira – Ich bin dran. Turkish-German productions won the festival’s Silver Leopard in 2004 and 2006. Lostage by Bettina Eberhard will be presented in the Swiss part of the short film competition.

The Hong Kong/German/Taiwanese co-production The Drummer by Kenneth Bi will prominently screen on the Piazza Grande while the Critics’ Week section has selected Allein in vier Wänden by Alexandra Westmeier.

German filmmaker Romuald Karmakar will be a member of the international jury this year and his film Hamburger Lektionen will be shown at the festival. Christopher Buchholz, member of the Leopards of Tomorrow jury, will present his film Horst Buchholz … Mein Papa.

Before the official opening, the new projection booth above the Piazza Grande will have its first screening with Wim Wenders' Heaven over Berlin.