06/06/2018 - Neuchâtel Festival’s non-competitive section invites the audience to discover the very best Swiss genre films

Faithful to its mission to promote a new and dynamic generation of Swiss directors, Neuchâtel International Film Festival (NIFFF) will be screening five surprising Swiss cultural films in its Amazing Switzerland programme this year.

The unique but promising female director, Lisa Brühlmann will be in attendance with Blue My Mind [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Lisa Brühlmann
interview: Luna Wedler
film profile], winner of a Swiss Film Award and the Max Ophüls Preis for Best Director. This mysterious coming-of-age film stars Luna Wedler, a rising star in the Swiss film industry. Animals [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Greg Zglinski
film profile] by Greg Zglinski – another intriguing film that received numerous nominations at the Swiss Film Awards –  will also be screened as part of the quintet. Curry Western [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Kamal Musale –produced by Vevey’s Louise Productions, Flick the Switch and Curry Western Productions Pvt. Ltd – will be screened in world premiere. The film, with tragicomic tones, tells the story of an unexpected and contested legacy, bathed in the colours of India. Katarina's Dream [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by the brothers Mirko & Dario Bischofberger will be screened in Swiss premiere. The film, about a science-fiction love triangle that is somewhat reminiscent of The Skin I Live In by Almodovar, is the logical successor to Dog Men – a pair of directors who haven’t yet finished making a name for themselves! Completing the quintet is Sicilian Ghost Story [+see also:
film review
trailer
making of
film profile] by another directorial duo: Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza, produced by Indigo Film, Cristaldi Pictures, Ventura Film sa, Mact Productions, RAI Cinema and Swiss Radio and Television (RSI). The film, already presented at the Critics' Week at Cannes film festival, at CPH:PIX in Copenhagen and at the BFI London Film Festival, focuses on the strength of friendship and courage of childhood.

In addition to the eagerly-anticipated Amazing Switzerland section, Switzerland will also be honoured in the Swiss Fantastic Short Films Competition, which will be screening eight films, including two debut Swiss films (Prochain tour by Valentin Graff & Jonas Lacôte, and Soy tu papá by Garrick J Lauterbach).

Last but not least, this year’s Swiss Celebrity Carte Blanche goes to Lionel Baier, a director, producer and cinema department head at ECAL (Lausanne Cantonal School of Art). Lionel Baier is undeniably one of the main figures of Swiss cinema, and his carte blanche will no doubt be very intriguing. The festival is also due to screen three pop eighties pearls of pure genius: Nightmare 2 - La rivincita by Jack Sholder, Cujo by Lewis Teague, and Litem, la città degli spettri verdi by Jean-Pierre Mocky.

(Translated from Italian)