As in every year, the Locarno Film Festival will see Swiss Films inviting industry professionals to discover premieres of feature film projects expected to be released in the coming months (between the end of 2024 and early 2025). On this occasion, it will be presenting five feature films with incredibly varied themes, including an existential road movie, a psychological film, a period drama and a thriller. Each of the films mentioned below are looking for a festival willing to host their world premieres, as well as an international distributor and someone to manage their international sales.

Road’s End in Taiwan [+lire aussi :
critique
interview : Maria Nicollier
fiche film] - Maria Nicollier
Production: REC Production (Switzerland) and Serendipity Films (Taiwan)
This film follows Geneva-based Daniel (Pierre-Antoine Dubey) who has never met his father and who suddenly discovers, at thirty-two years of age, that he’s next of kin to an Englishman living in Taiwan. He subsequently decides to fly to Taipei where he meets his half-brother Steven (Rhydian Vaughan). This road movie tells the story of two brothers looking for a father and his money. As stressed by the director, this is a road movie rather than a political film, a family drama where the main character sets off in search of himself.

Puppen&Krieger - Lisa Blatter
Production: Lomotion AG (Switzerland)
This film revolves around a couple (Selma and Nori) who find themselves on the rocks following a miscarriage. Their inability to communicate their pain prevents them from overcoming these tragic events together. As the director insists, this is a very personal film, inspired by an interview with Alejandro González Iñárritu, during which he spoke about “emotive narration”. The lead role is entrusted to the young rising star of European cinema, Carla Juri (crowned the Berlinale’s Shooting Star). The story takes place in Zurich and the film is currently in the early phases of editing. The film will be ready in the spring-summer of 2025.

Wolves - Jonas Ulrich
Production: Dynamic Frame GmbH (Switzerland)
This movie unfolds in the midst of the underground metal music scene and focuses on a young woman’s relationship with the enigmatic frontman of a band whom she’s touring with. Their turbulent relationship turns into a restless journey of discovery, crossing the boundary between freedom and fanaticism. The cast includes professional actors and actresses along the lines of Bartosz Bielenia (Corpus Christi [+lire aussi :
critique
bande-annonce
interview : Bartosz Bielenia
interview : Jan Komasa
fiche film]) and young theatre actress Selma Kopp in her first film role, as well as non-professionals (musicians and fans). The film’s authentic air is incredibly important to the director, who underscores the need to make films exploring significant themes, such as toxic masculinity. The young Swiss-German’s debut work, Wolves is currently in post-production and is expected for the end of 2024.

Frieda’s Case - Maria Brendle
Production: Condor Films AG (Switzerland)
This historical drama is a debut feature film by a director who was nominated for an Oscar thanks to her short film, Ala Kachuu-Take and Run, and is due for release at the beginning of 2025. The film is based on a true story about a woman who, in 1904, killed her son who was the product of rape. The film follows the trial of this ambiguous character who’s both victim and perpetrator. Frieda’s Case explores themes such as ethics, morality and the struggle for emancipation.

The Courageous [+lire aussi :
critique
bande-annonce
fiche film] - Jasmin Gordon
Production: maximage (Switzerland)
This debut feature film shot in the Valais region is set to world premiere in Toronto in September. The story revolves around a mother (Ophelia Kolb) who has to take care of her children at the same time as her “criminal” endeavours. Faced with her mistakes, our protagonist must come to terms with a society which doesn’t often give second chances to those who go wrong. The mother does everything she can to win back her children’s trust. This film is also looking for a sales agent and an international distributor.