The Locarno Film Festival, taking place in a small lakeside Swiss town every August, is one of the world’s premiere venues for celebrating bold, adventurous cinema. During the latest edition MUBI is exclusively presenting a series of gems from the 2015 and 2016 festivals, most of which will be available in countries around the world.
Above and Below (Nicolas Steiner, Germany), July 20 & August 11 (United Kingdom)
Above and Below is a rough and rhythmic roller coaster ride seating five survivors in their daily hustle through an apocalyptic world. A mind-blowing, cinematic exploration of contemporary existence in the US.
Los Hongos (Oscar Ruíz Navia, Columbia), August 8
Ras is a construction worker, but after work, he sprays graffitis on his neighborhood walls in east Cali, Colombia. When he steals several cans of paint to finish a huge mural, he is fired from his job. Without a dime, he sets off on a journey across the city to find another graffiti artist.
The Movement (Benjamín Naishtat, Argentina), August 9
Up-and-coming director Benjamín Naishtat prize-winning third film is an audaciously stark and powerful tale of the Argentine frontier. In this small film with impressive ambition—and stunning black and white cinematography—Naishtat cleverly envisions a crucial moment in his nation’s history.
Deux Rémi, Deux (Pierre Léon, France), August 10
At 30, with not much of a job, and too timid in love, Rémi is a little lost in life until the day he has to share it with his doppelgänger, another him, who is overbearing and not very nice. Which one is the real Rémi?
Köpek (Esen Isik, Switzerland), August 11
An ordinary day in the mega-city of Istanbul: Ten-year-old Cemo sells paper tissues in the streets, Hayat is controlled by her husband and transsexual Ebru sells her body. All three have a secret love and they do everything to satisfy their longing, if only for a moment.
Rio Corgo (Maya Kosa, Sérgio Da Costa, Switzerland), August 12
Silva, an old vagrant, arrives to a remote village in Portugal. He meets Ana with whom he creates a relationship of friendship and initiation. The girl gradually slides into his imaginary universe, populated by supernatural beings.