Locarno Reveals Lineup, Names Mélanie Laurent and Guillaume Canet for Career Achievement Awards

Locarno has revealed this year’s official selection.

Known auteurs Hong Sang-soo (“By the Stream”) and Wang Bing (“Youth (Hard Times)”) will now battle it out in the official selection, which will welcome 17 world premieres. Italy will be represented by Sara Fgaier’s “Sulla Terra Leggeri” and “Luce,” directed by Silvia Luzi and Luca Bellino. Ala Eddine Slim’s “Agora” will also be shown, as well as Ben Rivers’ “Bogancloch,” “Cent Mille Milliards” by Virgil Vernier and Saul? Bliuvait?’s “Toxic.”

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“We are very excited and happy with our selection, which we believe represents the best of contemporary filmmaking. We have taken special care in highlighting those works that, while broadening the possibilities of cinema, are also consciously trying to spark a more meaningful conversation with the audience,” stated artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro, adding that the fest “continues to offer itself up as a platform for intersectional dialogue.”

The audience will get to discover Ramon Zürcher’s “The Sparrow in the Chimney,” Marta Mateus’ “Fire of Wind,” “Green Line” by Sylvie Ballyot and “Death Will Come” by Christoph Hochh?usler. “Mond” directed by Kurdwin Ayub, Mar Coll’s “Mothers Don’t,” Pia Marais’ “Transamazonia,” “New Dawn Fades” by Gürcan Keltek and “Drowning Dry” by Laurynas Barei?a round up the section.

The event, which will celebrate its 77th edition, also announced the recipients of Excellence Awards Davide Campari: Mélanie Laurent and Guillaume Canet, dedicated to “performers with extraordinary careers.”

French stars will be seen in this year’s opening film, “Le Déluge,” by Gianluca Jodice, about the last days of Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI. According to Nazzaro, the film features their “career-defining performances.”

“Mélanie Laurent and Guillaume Canet have forged personal and identifiable acting paths for themselves over the years. Working in the service of a French and European tradition of an auteur cinema that often intersects with the reasons of a cultured popular cinema, the two performers have shown extraordinary sensitivity in the composition of their roles, thus giving rise to artistic, personal trajectories that are appreciated by audiences,” he said.

As already announced, this year’s edition will welcome the likes of Jane Campion, who will receive Pardo d’Onore Manor and show her beloved masterpiece “The Piano,” producer Stacey Sher (Raimondo Rezzonico Award), actor Irène Jacob (set to receive Leopard Club Award) and India’s icon himself, Shah Rukh Khan (Pardo all Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism). Ben Burtt will pick up Vision Award Ticinomoda and Claude Barras – Locarno Kids Award la Mobiliare.

Finally, Piazza Grande selection will feature six world premieres among its 18 titles. From “Electric Child” by Simon Jaquemet to the aforementioned “Le Déluge,” “Mexico 86” by César Díaz, Paz Vega’s directorial effort “Rita” and two world premieres of restored versions: “The Fall (Restored Cut)” and Godard’s “Une Femme Est Une Femme.”

“The selection presents, as expected, celebrated auteurs while also introducing new directors who we are certain will play a major role with their films in the future,” said Nazzaro about Locarno picks.

Locarno Film Festival will take place from August 7 – 17, 2024. You can find the full lineup here:

Official Selection

“Agora”

Dir. Ala Eddine Slim

Tunisia, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar

World premiere

Ala Eddine Slim (“The Last of Us” and “Tlamess”) focuses on three missing people who return to a remote town in Tunisia. Local police inspector tries to unravel the mystery with the help of her friend, but then a second inspector arrives from the capital. As reported by Variety, “the events of the film develop as if they were taking place in the dreams of two animals – a blue dog and a black crow.” Produced by Exit Productions, it’s co-produced by Cinenovo.

“Toxic” (“Akiplesa”)

Dir. Saul? Bliuvait?

Lithuania

World premiere

Bliuvait?’s feature debut takes on the world of modelling – and the pain of coming-of-age – as its teenage protagonist gets ready for casting that could change everything, not to mention help her finally leave her home. Produced by Akis bado, it features Vesta Matulyt?, Ieva Rupeikait? and Vilma Raubait?. In March, the film was awarded at Lithuania’s industry event Meeting Point Vilnius.

“Bogancloch”

Dir. Ben Rivers

United Kingdom, Germany, Iceland

World premiere

Described as a sequel to Rivers’ first feature “Two Years at Sea,” and oscillating between documentary and fiction, the film will welcome its viewers into the unique home of loner Jake Williams – hidden somewhere in the middle of Scottish forest. It’s produced by Urth Productions and Hopscotch Films and co-produced by Flaneur Films and Akkeri Films. Rediance handles sales.

“Cent Mille Milliards”

Dir. Virgil Vernier

France

World premiere

Known to Locarno audiences for his previous films “Sophia Antipolis” and “Orléans,” actor-director Virgil Vernier now enlists the help of fresh faces Zakaria Bouti, Mina Gajovic and Victoire Kong. A Petit Film production.

“The Sparrow in the Chimney” (“Der Spatz im Kamin”)

Dir. Ramon Zürcher

Switzerland

World premiere

In Zürcher’s film, a couple lives with their kids in Karen’s childhood home in the countryside. On her husband’s birthday, her sister Jule arrives. But the two women are complete opposites. Maren Eggert (“I’m Your Man”), Britta Hammelstein, Luise Heyer, Andreas D?hler and Lea Zoe Voss take on the roles, while Zürcher Film produces. A SRF/SRG SSR co-production, it’s sold by Cercamon. Filmcoopi Zürich handles Swis distribution.

“Fire of Wind” (“Fogo do vento”)

Dir. Marta Mateus

Portugal, Switzerland, France

World premiere

Portuguese director Marta Mateus – previously awarded for 2017 short “Farp?es, baldios” – makes her feature debut with this title, produced by Clar?o Companhia and co-produced by Casa Azul Films and Les Films d’ici. Soraia Prudêncio, Maria Catarina Sapata, Safir Eizner, José Moura and Maria Clara Madeira star. Sold by Portugal Film – Portuguese Film Agency.

“Green Line”

Dir. Sylvie Ballyot

France, Lebanon, Qatar

World premiere

Yet another debut feature in the section, Sylvie Ballyot’s “Green Line” is produced by TS Productions and co-produced by Films de Force Majeure, XBO Films and L’impossible est en cours. This creative documentary will surprise the viewers with its animated sequences as it tries to reconstruct the life of Fida, who still has to deal with the traumatic memories of her childhood in 1980s Lebanon.

“Death Will Come” (“La Mort Viendra”)

Dir. Christoph Hochh?usler

Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium

World premiere

True Colours has already boarded this thriller with Sophie Verbeeck, Louis-Do de Lencquesaing, Marc Limpach, Mourade Zeguendi and Hilde Van Mieghem. Produced by Heimatfilm and co-produced by Amour Fou Luxembourg and Tarantula Belgique, it zooms onto a female killer, hired by a gangster to exact revenge after one of his couriers was murdered. But soon, she might need to run for her life as well.

“Luce”

Dir. Silvia Luzi, Luca Bellino

Italy

World premiere

Longtime Italian directorial duo, known for “On the Art of War,” “Crater” and “Io sono Sofia,” now collaborates with actor Marianna Fontana, previously seen in “Indivisible” and series “Romulus.” Bokeh Film, Stemal Entertainment and Rai Cinema produce.

“Mond”

Dir. Kurdwin Ayub

Austria

World premiere

Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion oversees this latest proposition by Kurdwin Ayub – who already presented “Sonne” in Berlin – about a former female kickboxer, from Vienna, who decides to work as a personal trainer for three daughters of a rich family in the Middle East. But they are constantly monitored and, well, not that interested in boxing. Features Florentina Holzinger, Andria Tayeh, Celina Antwan and Nagham Abu Baker.

“Youth (Hard Times)” (“Qing Chun (Ku)”)

Dir. Wang Bing

France, Luxembourg, Netherlands

World premiere

“Youth (Spring)” divided Cannes over its lengthy running time, but award-winning Wang Bing continues to explore the lives of the young in his new documentary. Produced by House on Fire, Gladys Glover and CS Production, it’s co-produced by Arte France Cinéma, Les Films Fauves, Volya Films, Eastern-Lion Pictures and Culture Media Co., Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation, Le Fresnoy – Studio national des arts contemporains. Pyramide International handles sales.

“By the Stream” (“Suyoocheon”)

Dir. Hong Sang-soo

South Korea

World premiere

The latest from acclaimed – and extremely prolific – South Korean auteur Hon Sang-soo, “By the Stream” is produced by Jeonwonsa Film. His regular Kim Minhee (“The Handmaiden”) stars, alongside Kwon Haehyo and Cho Yunhee. In the film, a lecturer at a woman’s university asks her uncle, a blacklisted actor-director, to direct a skit at the university. Earlier this year, Sang-soo was awarded in Berlin for “A Traveler’s Needs” with Isabelle Huppert.

“Mothers Don’t” (“Salve Maria”)

Dir. Mar Coll

Spain

World premiere

Barcelona-born Mar Coll returns after “Three Days with the Family” and “We All Want What’s Best for Her,” telling the story of a young writer who becomes obsessed by the case of a woman who drowned her twins in the bathtub. With Laura Weissmahr and Oriol Pla, it’s produced by Escándalo Films and Elastica Films International. Be For Films is on board as well. “María is a repentant mother, an association of words that generates automatic unease,” Coll told Variety.

“Drowning Dry” (“Seses”)

Dir. Laurynas Barei?a

Lithuania, Latvia

World premiere

Alpha Violet handles this drama from Laurynas Barei?a (“Pilgrims,” awarded in Venice) about a family heading to a country house after a successful tournament. They swim in the lake, eat, talk about money. Then, tragedy strikes, changing their entire lives forever. Gelmin? Glem?ait?, Agn? Kaktait?, Giedrius Kiela and Paulius Markevi?ius star. Produced by afterschool production, co-produced by Trickster Pictures.

“Sulla Terra Leggeri”

Dir. Sara Fgaier

Italy

World premiere

Gian, a sixty-something ethnomusicology professor, fights the darkness caused by the sudden onset of amnesia. He tries to end things, but he fails. His estranged daughter moves into his apartment with her son Elyas. Andrea Renzi, Sara Serraiocco, Emilio Francis Scarpa, Lise Lomi and Maria Fernanda Candido are cast in Sara Fgaier’s debut feature. Produced by Limen, Avventurosa, Dugong Films and Rai Cinema, with Rai Cinema International Distribution handling sales.

“Transamazonia”

Dir. Pia Marais

France, Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, Brazil

World premiere

Helena Zengel, Jeremy Xido, Sabine Timoteo, Ham? Luciano and R?mulo Braga act in this story about a daughter of a missionary, Rebecca, who survived a plane crash as a child. Years later, she becomes a healer, forced to deal with loggers who are invading the land belonging to the indigenous people. The Party Film Sales is on board, while Cinéma Defacto, Ga?jin and Aldabra Films produce. Co-produced by Pandora Film Produktion, Point Productions, Volos Films, Vitamine C, O’Par and Cabocla Filmes.

“New Dawn Fades” (Yeni Safak Solarken”)

Dir. Gürcan Keltek

Turkey, Italy, Germany, Norway, Netherlands

World premiere

Gürcan Keltek (“Colony,” “Meteors,” also shown in Locarno) now takes on a story about an up-and-coming actor, diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder right after his graduation. After fleeing from hospital, he struggles to find jobs. Then he starts working as a guardian for children in a shopping mall’s indoor playground. A Vigo Film production, the film is co-produced by Slingshot Films, 29P Films, The StoryBay and Fidalgo Productions. Sold by Heretic.

Piazza Grande

“Electric Child”

Dir. Simon Jaquemet

Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Philippines

Production: 8horses

Co-production: unafilm, Revolver Amsterdam, Perron X, Epicmedia Productions, SRF/SRG SSR, CH Media

Swiss distributor: Ascot Elite Entertainment

World premiere

“Gaucho Gaucho”

Dir. Michael Dweck, Gregory Kershaw

USA, Argentina

Production: Artemis Rising Foundation, Beautiful Stories, Foothill Productions, Impact Partners

International sales: Charades

Swiss distributor: Praesens Film

Swiss premiere

“Le Deluge”

Dir. Gianluca Jodice

Italy, France

Production: Ascent Film, Rai Cinema, Adler Entertainment Co-production: Quad Films

International sales: Goodfellas

Swiss distributor: Xenix Filmdistribution

World premiere

“Le Procès du Chien”

Dir. Laetitia Dosch

Switzerland, France

Production: Bande à part Films, Atelier de Production

Co-production: RTS Radio Télévision Suisse, SRG SSR, France 2 Cinéma

International sales: mk2

Swiss distributor: Pathé Films

Swiss premiere, First Feature

“Mexico 86”

Dir. César Díaz

Belgium, France

Production: Need Productions, Tripode Productions

Co-production: Pimienta Films, Menuetto

International sales: Goodfellas

World premiere

“Reinas”

Dir. Klaudia Reynicke

Switzerland, Peru, Spain

Production: Alva Film, Maretazo Cine, Inicia Films

Co-production: RTS Radio Télévision Suisse International sales: The Yellow Affair

Swiss distributor: Filmcoopi Zürich

Swiss premiere

“Rita”

Dir. Paz Vega

Spain

Production: áralan Films, Rita La Película A.I.E.

International sales: Filmax

World premiere

“Sauvages”

Dir. Claude Barras

Switzerland, France, Belgium

Production: Nadasdy Film, Haut et Court, Panique!

Co-production: Hélium Films, Beast Animation, Personne n’est parfait!

International sales: Goodfellas

Swiss distributor: Frenetic Films

Swiss premiere

“Sew Torn”

Dir. Freddy Macdonald

USA, Switzerland

Production: Sew Torn

Co-production: ORISONO

International sales: UTA

International premiere

“Shambhala”

Dir. Min Bahadur Bham

Nepal, France, Norway, Turkey, Hong Kong, Taiwan, USA, Qatar

Production: Shooney films

Co-production: CDP, Ape&Bj?rn, Aaru Production, ZK Films, Yi Tiao Long Hu Bao, Bangdel & Shakya Production

International sales: Best Friend Forever

Swiss distributor: AMF

Swiss premiere

“The Fall (Restored Cut)”

Dir. Tarsem Singh

South Africa, India, United Kingdom

Production: Googly Films

International sales: The Match Factory

World premiere of the 4K restoration and director’s cut

“The Piano”

Dir. Jane Campion

Australia, New Zealand, France

Production: Jan Chapman Films, Ciby 2000

International sales: Newen Connect

“The Seed of the Sacred Fig”

Dir. Mohammad Rasoulof Iran, Germany, France

Production: Run Way Pictures

Co-production: Parallel45

International sales: Films Boutique

Swiss distributor: trigon-film

Swiss premiere

“Timestalker”

Dir. Alice Lowe

United Kingdom

Production: Western Edge Pictures

Co-production: Popcorn Group

International sales: HanWay Films

Swiss distributor: Praesens Film

Swiss premiere

“Une Femme Est Une Femme”

Dir. Jean-Luc Godard

France, Italy

Production: Rome-Paris Films, Euro International Films

International sales: StudioCanal

World premiere of the 4K restoration

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