Canadian Festival Locarno's First Look Section Features Queer Love Fantasy, Desert Mishaps, and Artists in Perilous Situations
In the world of cinema, Canada is making a significant mark, and the Locarno Film Festival's First Look section is a testament to this. The 14th edition of this prestigious event is heading to Canada, showcasing six Canadian feature-length films in post-production.
One of the highly anticipated films is "Nina Roza" by Geneviève Dulude-De Celles. This co-production between Canada, Italy, Belgium, and Bulgaria tells the story of an eight-year-old Bulgarian art prodigy whose video goes viral and is spotted by an art collector. Meeting her means confronting the art collector’s past, as he faces returning home after 30 years. The film explores themes of identity, exile, and belonging through a narrative integrating music and art.
Another film that has caught the eye is "Lunar Sway" by Nick Butler. This fiction film, produced by Canadian company Cloudy Pictures, tells the story of a young man named Cliff who lives in a remote desert town and forms an unusual relationship with his estranged birth mother. The film is expected to be completed by mid-August.
"Lunar Sway" features interviews, songs, and excerpts from Lhasa de Sela's diaries, with her voice serving as a guide into her inner world. The film is imagined as the world tour that de Sela was planning before her untimely death. "Lhasa," a documentary directed by Sophie Leblond about the life and career of Lhasa de Sela, an internationally celebrated singer-songwriter who died at the age of 37, is also among the Canadian First Look spotlight films.
"Veins" by Raymond St-Jean is a genre film, the first of its kind produced in Quebec. Set in a semi-abandoned Canadian village of Saint-Étienne, a young woman investigates the mysterious sudden death of her father. As strange occurrences grow, she uncovers a sinister and horrifying truth.
Two documentaries will also be presented: "We Will Not Be Silenced," which stands by three writers and a publisher fighting against censorship.
Canada's roster of great talents and diversity in filmmaking is not going unnoticed. Locarno's Industry Manager Daria Voumard stated, "Canada has a roster of great talents and diversity in filmmaking." The international jury for First Look 2025 will be composed of Franck Finance-Madureira, Kim Yutani, and Jacqueline Lyanga.
The films represent a range of genres and styles, emphasising Canadian talent and aiming to find European partners and international sales prospects through the industry platform. The Locarno Film Festival's work in progress section, titled First Look, is heading to Canada for its 14th edition.
In addition to the films mentioned, "Thanks To the Hard Work of the Elephants" by Bryce Hodgson, a documentary produced by Canadian companies, and awarded the Music Library & SFX/Acorde Award, will also be showcased.
Nicolas Comeau teased that "Veins" will be the first film of its kind in Quebec, and post-production features a stellar international crew, including editor Matthieu Laclau and sound mixer Stéphane Thiébaut.
Lastly, Hodgson's "The Boys" is a film about rebellion, tenderness, disassociation, delusion, and the unique moments where kids find each other in the dark.
These films are a testament to the rich and diverse talent that Canada has to offer in the world of cinema.
The films showcased in the Locarno Film Festival's First Look section, including "Nina Roza", "Lunar Sway", and "Veins", reveal Canada's significant impact on the global cinema industry, demonstrating a wide range of genres and styles that highlight Canadian talent. Additionally, documentaries like "We Will Not Be Silenced" and "Thanks To the Hard Work of the Elephants" further accentuate Canada's potential for European partnerships and international exposure.
