Appellations Suisse 2004 – 57th Locarno International Film Festival
12.07.2004
The Locarno International Film Festival is not only the largest and most important international film event in Switzerland, it also allows the best international exposure for Swiss films. Five years ago, the festival initiated the ”Appellations Suisse” sector together with the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR idée Suisse), professional associations and the Swiss Film Center in order to provide the public in Locarno an overview of Swiss film production from the previous year. The national film promotion organisation SWISS FILMS has selected eleven Swiss films produced for the cinema for this year’s program: eight fiction films, two documentary films and one animated short film. This selection of films reflects both new trends in Swiss films and continuity in Swiss filmmaking. In addition to the premiere of numerous other Swiss films in various sectors of the festival’s program (for example, competition, Piazza Grande, Critics’ Week, “Cinéastes du present”), the self-confidence and emergence of Swiss cinematic works will be clearly evident in Locarno.
Films accepted for the “Appellations Suisse” series are those which have been either screened in the cinema or invited to an important festival since the previous Locarno Film Festival. This year’s selection is comprised of a number of feature films from the German- and French-speaking regions of Switzerland, including cinema films which have until now been limited to a region due to language. New talent will be presented with “Stupid Boy” by Lionel Baier, “Strähl” by Manuel Flurin Hendry and “Verflixt verliebt” by Peter Luisi. The public’s favourite “Sternenberg” (Christoph Schaub) , “Hilde’s Journey” (Christof Vorster) and “I am Your Father” (Michel Rodde) are current productions made by well-known and established filmmakers. Alain Tanner will be rounding off his life’s work with “Paul s'en va”, which can be seen for the first time in an international version. The quality of Swiss documentary filmmaking will demonstrate itself in the “Appellations Suisse” sector with “Ässhäk – Tales From The Sahara” by Ulrike Koch and with Alfredo Knuchel’s “Hallelujah! The Lord is Mad”. In addition, Georges Schwizgebel is celebrating international success with his new animated film “L'homme sans ombre” (with screenings and awards in Cannes (Critics’ Week), as well as in competitions at animated film festivals in Annecy and in Zagreb).
The screenings are open to the public, but are primarily aimed at the international professional sector. The films are scheduled to be screened daily at 11 a.m. in the “L’Altra Sala” cinema and then again on the following day at 10 p.m. in the “Cinema Rialto 1”.
”Appellations Suisse” contributes to a broader distribution of Swiss films with international potential and highlights the quality of Swiss filmmaking.
Zurich/Geneva, 12 July 2004
The screenings are open to the public, but are primarily aimed at the international professional sector. The films are scheduled to be screened daily at 11 a.m. in the “L’Altra Sala” cinema and then again on the following day at 10 p.m. in the “Cinema Rialto 1”.
”Appellations Suisse” contributes to a broader distribution of Swiss films with international potential and highlights the quality of Swiss filmmaking.
Zurich/Geneva, 12 July 2004