25/07/2016 - The Critics’ Union has unveiled the programme for the parallel and independent section of the festival, which will be held from 31 August-10 September

The Italian National Film Critics’ Union has unveiled the programme for the 31st edition of Critics’ Week (SIC), which will be held from 31 August to 10 September as part of the 73rd Venice International Film Festival. The line-up features a selection of seven first works and two special events.

“This edition of SIC is not a closed selection, but an open invitation to travel. Today we’re laying the foundations for the film of the future, which has yet to be defined” stated General Delegate Giona A. Nazzaro, as he presented the selected works. They were “chosen from over 500 films submitted, in the pursuit of ‘pleasure through film’”.

Starting with Prevenge [+see also:
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film profile] – a brilliant post-feminist slasher movie directed by Alice Lowe, who has previously appeared in films by Edgar Wright and Ben Wheatley – and moving onto The Last Things [+see also:
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Keywan Karimi, an Iranian filmmaker who was sentenced to one year in prison and 223 lashes for offending Islam, brings us Drum [+see also:
trailer
film profile], a metaphysical and expressionist noir, while Ala Eddine Slim, a Tunisian documentary maker and video artist, uses The Last of Us to re-launch an experimental and abstract style of film with great courage.

The Nobodies by Juan Sebastián Mesa was filmed in seven days in the most inaccessible streets of Medellin, whilst Prank by Vincent Biron, the former director of photography for Denis Côté, is a parable of hardcore post-Salingerian nihilism. Four Days in France [+see also:
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That’s all without forgetting the Sic@Sic group of Italian short film directors – a synergy forged in partnership with the Istituto Luce Cinecittà – sponsored by the great Marco Bellocchio.

Competition

The Last of Us (Akher Wahed Fina) - Ala Eddine Slim (Tunisia/Qatar/UAE/Lebanon)
Drum [+see also:
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film profile] - Keywan Karimi (France/Iran)
Four Days in France [+see also:
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The Nobodies - Juan Sebastián Mesa (Colombia)
Prank - Vincent Biron (Canada)
Singing in Graveyards - Bradley Liew (Malaysia/Philippines)
The Last Things [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - Irene Dionisio (Italy/Switzerland/France)

Opening film – Special event Out of Competition

Prevenge [+see also:
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trailer
film profile] - Alice Lowe (United Kingdom)

Closing film – Special event Out of Competition

Are We Not Cats - Xander Robin (US)