Ready for a bit of Swiss bliss on the big screen? The 79th edition of Switzerland’s Locarno Film Festival is set to be a showcase of adventurous new cinema from around the globe, including homegrown productions from Swiss filmmakers and/or producers.
Various sections of the fest, running Aug. 5-16, will serve up homemade cinematic fare. In addition, the popular “Panorama Suisse” section will put the spotlight on “Swiss films that have enjoyed success at festivals, found an audience in cinemas, or are currently released in the country.” Plus, the Locarno Kids Screenings program also includes two titles with Swiss participation.
For those looking for some Swiss cinematic bliss and trying to avoid having Swiss cheese-sized holes in their Locarno schedules, THR is below highlighting a selection of Swiss treats screening at Locarno79.The ChileanDirector: Sergio Castro-San MartínPiazza GrandeInternational sales: Fandango
A political thriller telling the story of a fugitive is ready to explode onto Locarno’s screens. The big-screen epic The Chilean is a co-production between Italy, Chile and Switzerland that starts off in 1976 Chile. Amid mining protests, Aldo, skilled in explosives, is forced into exile, leaving his wife and newborn child behind. He moves to Italy, where he must survive on menial jobs in Torino and where people simply call him Il Cileno, The Chilean. But everything changes when he meets Luciana, a doctor involved with anarchist groups. She offers him the chance to reunite with his family. But in exchange, he must return to his old trade – making bombs for revolutionary groups.
