26/04/2007

With eight films from Latin America and Spain in a programme of 17, a distinctly Hispanic feel dominates the 46th International Critics’ Week (SIC), which takes place from May 17-25 alongside the 60th Cannes Film Festival.

Unveiled this afternoon at the Cinémathèque in Paris by a selection committee headed by Jean-Christophe Berjon, the section – a showcase for up-and-coming filmmakers –will present three Mexican and two Argentinean films. In contrast to 2006, when it overshadowed the section, Europe this year has only seven films in competition, while Asia and the US have only one title each.

Among the seven features in competition are French helmer David Oelhoffen’s Nos retrouvailles [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], Belgian director Micha Wald’s Horse Thieves [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] (see article) and co-productions Meduzot [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Israel’s Etgar Keret and Shira Geffen (associate produced by Paris-based Les Films du Poisson) and XXY by Argentina’s Lucia Puenzo, co-produced by France (Pyramide) and Spain (Wanda Vision).

In the Week’s Specials category, which includes opening film Heroes [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by French helmer Bruno Merle (see news), significant space will be given to artistic quality and a film genre that is becoming increasingly important. Thus, fantastic and horror films will have two “Very Special Screenings" with Inside by French directing duo Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo and The Orphanage [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Spain’s Juan Antonio Bayona.

Documentaries will be represented by the Bulgarian film The Mosquito Problem and Other Stories (a German co-production) by Andrey Paounov. The FIPRESCI revelation this year will be devoted to Rotterdam-winning Spanish feature Yo by Rafa Cortez and Newton Aduaka’s Nigerian film Ezra, presented in partnership with RFI and co-produced by France and Austria.

Features Competition
David Oelhoffen - Nos retrouvailles (FR)
Micha Wald - Horse Thieves (BE)
Etgar Keret and Shira Geffen - Meduzot (IL/FR)
Lucia Puenzo - XXY (AR)
Daihachi Yoshida - Funuke Show Some Love, You Losers! (JP)
Lina Chamie - The Mily Way (BR)
Ernesto Contreras - Parpados Azules (MX)

Specials – Features
Coup de coeur: Pablo Fendrik - El Asaltante (AR)
Opening film: Bruno Merle - Heroes (FR)
Closing film: Cecilia Miniucchi - Expired (US)
Documentary: Andrey Paounov - The Mosquito Problem and other stories (BG)

"Very Special" Screenings:
Juan Antonio Bayona - The Orphanage (ES)
Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo - Inside (FR)

Film of the Ambassador of the 46th Critics’ Week
Gael Garcia Bernal - Deficit (MX)

Special Palace Screening:
Simon Bross - Bad Habits (MX)

FIPRESCI Revelation of the Year:
Rafa Cortez - Yo (ES)

Screening in partnership with RFI:
Newton Aduaka - Ezra (FR/AT/NG)

Special Screenings – Medium-length features
Patrick Eklund - Situation Frank (SE)
Mikhaël Hers - Primrose Hill (FR)
Frédéric Pelle - Chambre 616 (FR)

(Translated from French)