Nyon film festival looks beyond reality
Swiss film productions are set to make their mark at this year's Visions du Réel festival which takes place on the shores of Lake Geneva, over the next few days.
Among the few big international names taking part are Canadian director Atom Egoyan with his latest film “Citadel” and the French production “Le filmeur” by Alain Cavalier.
The annual Nyon international film festival is known among film buffs less for a star-studded line-up, but for cinematographic discoveries, debates and expressions of artistic freedom.
Festival director Jean Perret does not tire to explain a novel idea of a festival – introduced more than ten years ago – which goes beyond a showcase for traditional documentaries and includes features and experimental productions as well as essays.
“The objective of Visions du Réel is to show the world as it is perceived, to break away from the mainstream. The festival offers a diversity of committed and inspired points of view whilst making it possible to correlate experiences, reflections a and aspirations,” according to a statement by the festival organisers.
This year’s programme focuses on topical issues and cover a wide range of themes, such as the survival of mankind, concerns over threats to the environment, or the understanding of the past.
Swiss vision
More than 20 films, including a Swiss production by Michel Favre, are competing for the festival awards.
In his film essay, entitled “L’image à paroles”, the Geneva filmmaker probes the collective imagination of the Brazilian city of São Paulo, the archetype of the modern megapolis.
There are a total of 160 films screened in Nyon over the week, notably 34, mainly short productions by Swiss filmmakers.
Perret says it is hardly a surprise to see such a large number of productions by Swiss directors in Nyon, since many of them come from the country’s film schools in Zurich, Geneva and Lausanne.
Film schools
“Switzerland is known for its strong tradition of documentary filmmaking. The schools promote quality films, and encourage young directors to develop their own styles, explore personal points of view and visions,” he added.
Perret points out Christophe Cupelin’s “no-budget” production “Kononga”, shot in Burkina Faso as well as Samantha Granger’s “Hokkaido”, which takes a poetic look at the complex reality of Japan following in the steps of Swiss writer and photographer Nicolas Bouvier.
Another Swiss film highlighted by Perret is “City Walls – My own private Teheran” by Afsar Sonia Shafie, an Iranian filmmaker living in exile in Zurich.
“It’s a fascinating portrait of two women who have sacrificed their lives to a system which leaves them no room for personal development.”
Veuve
A renowned veteran Swiss filmmaker and anthropologist, Jacqueline Veuve, is this year’s guest of honour in Nyon.
The 76-year Veuve produced more than 50 mainly documentary films in her career spanning four decades.
Many of her productions describe Switzerland with scant nostalgia through its army, its farmers, its wine growers, its craftspeople, the Salvation Army, and of course, its women.
On the fringes of the festival researchers from Lausanne University will present a survey, commissioned by the Federal Culture Office, into the preferences and choices of the Swiss moviegoers.
swissinfo, Pierre-François Besson
Visions du Réel is among Switzerland’s top three annual film events besides the festivals of Locarno and Solothurn.
Last year the Nyon festival attracted 26,000 visitors to the town on Lake Geneva.
The festival was founded in 1969 as an annual event to showcase documentary film productions. It was re-launched with a new strategy in 1995 which includes fictional and experimental films.
Visions du Réel has increased its budget by 25% this year to SFr1.8 million ($1.4 million) as the EU for the first time paid SFr135,000 towards the festival.
The Nyon film festival takes place from April 24-30.
22 films, including a Swiss production, take part in the international competition.
A total 160 films from 38 countries are screened during the weeklong event.
The festival also offers workshops on the Israeli filmmaker Avi Mograbi and Cambodia’s Rithy Panh.
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