The Zurich Film Festival has unveiled the first seven titles from its Gala Premieres section, a showcase of some of the year’s hottest auteur films. Star-studded dramas are included in the list. “The Banshees of Inisherin”Martin McDonagh (Oscar-winning Director) presents the European premiere of the German film adaptation. “All Quiet on the Western Front,” directed by Edward Berger,And the world premieres of Sönke Wortmann’s “Der Nachname” and “Die Goldenen Jahre”Barbara Kulcsar
Artistic director Christian Jungen said: “In recent years, the Zurich Film Festival has established itself as a springboard into the awards season. Of the last 10 winners of the Oscar for Best Film, six screened at the festival. This year, we will again present international auteur films that will later play a role in the Oscar race to the more than 120,000 visitors and the 600 accredited media.”
September 8th will see the publication of the complete festival program.
“All Quiet on the Western Front” European Premiere (Drama) Germany
Director: Edward Berger
Cast: Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Aaron Hilmer, Moritz Klaus, Edin Hasanovic, Daniel Brühl, Devid Striesow
Germany, World War I. A romanticized idea of heroism motivates schoolboy Paul Bäumer to volunteer for the army. Full of patriotic zeal, he goes to the Western Front with his comrades – but it is not long before the initial euphoria turns into fear and despair. With “All Quiet on the Western Front,” Edward Berger directs the first German film adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s bestseller: a gripping drama that brings home the absurdity and reality of war.
“Argentina, 1985” Drama (Argentina)
Director: Santiago Mitre
Cast: Ricardo Darín, Peter Lanzani, Norman Briski
“Argentina, 1985” is inspired by the true story of public prosecutors Julio Strassera and Luis Moreno Ocampo, who dared to investigate and prosecute Argentina’s bloodiest military dictatorship in 1985. Undeterred by the military’s still considerable influence within their fragile new democracy, Strassera and Moreno Ocampo assembled a young legal team of unlikely heroes for their David vs. Goliath battle. They were constantly under threat for their safety and that of their families. So they raced against the clock in an effort to bring justice to the military junta’s victims.
“The Banshees of Inisherin” (Drama) Ireland, U.S., U.K.
Martin McDonagh, Director
Cast: Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. Barry Keoghan, Kerry Condon.
While civil war rages in Ireland in 1923, life on the remote island of Inisherin takes its usual course for the good-natured Pádraic. However, he is abruptly shaken from his blissful state when Colm, his lifelong friend, resigns for apparently no reason. As events escalate, the men continue to spiral into chaos. After “Three Billboards,”Martin McDonagh, Oscar-winning director, tells a darkly comic story about a man’s friendship set against a stunning backdrop.
“Broker”South Korea Drama
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Cast: Song Kang-ho, Gang Dong-won, Doona Bae, Lee Joo-Young, Gang Dong-won
Sang-hyun, Dong-soo and Dong-hyun decide to secretly take an infant home after he is left at a baby shelter one rainy night. It was their mission to find a new family. Then, So-young’s mother suddenly reappears. They embark on a journey that will forever change the lives of everyone involved, but police are still looking for them.
“Die Goldenen Jahre” World Premiere (Comedy) Switzerland
Director: Barbara Kulcsar
Screenplay: Petra Volpe
Cast: Stefan Kurt, Esther Gemsch, Ueli Jäggi
Alice and Peter are both newly retired. But their new phase of their lives is overshadowed unexpectedly by Magalie’s sudden death. While Alice grieves the loss her best friend, Peter becomes a health enthusiast. A cruise together is supposed to bring the couple closer together again, but Magalie’s widowed husband disturbs their togetherness. Alice sets out on her own adventure without further delay. Based on Petra Volpe’s screenplay, this movie is a positive and uplifting film about the third third.
“Der Nachname” World Premiere (Comedy) Germany
Director: Sönke Wortmann
Cast: Christoph Maria Herbst, Caroline Peters, Justus von Dohnányi, Florian David Fitz, Janina Uhse, Iris Berben
It was supposed to be a peaceful reunion on Lanzarote. However, as soon the married couple Stephan, Elisabeth as well as their parents Anna and Thomas arrive at their holiday home, the family is thrown into turmoil. Elisabeth and Thomas can hardly believe it when their mother Dorothea announces that she and adopted son René are now married. It was four years later “Der Vorname,” director Sönke Wortmann returns to Zurich with the long-awaited sequel and delightfully wicked social comedy “Der Nachname.”
“Triangle of Sadness” (Comedy/Drama) Sweden, Germany, France, U.K.
Director: Ruben Östlund
Cast: Harris Dickinson; Charlbi De Leon, Dolly de Leon and Woody Harrelson
Models Yaya and Carl are exploring the limits of their relationship while navigating the fashion world. The couple, along with a rogues’ gallery of wealthy passengers, are invited on a luxury cruise where, at first glance, everything seems perfect. When the ship is struck by a devastating thunderstorm, it capssizes. The film won the Cannes Film Festival’s top prize, the Palme d’Or, this year.