52 films, 23 premieres, numerous guests and a Festival OFFF

In times of advancing commercialisation driven by blockbusters, and amid the struggle against the countless streaming services that increasingly give the living room an advantage over the cinema, events such as the Festival du Film Français d’Helvétie are worth their weight in gold for film lovers. For the 15th time, the people of Biel – and for the third time the people of Bern too – can enjoy an up-to-date overview of French-language filmmaking, which, for the reasons mentioned above, is increasingly in danger of disappearing from regular cinema programmes in German-speaking Switzerland. From 11 to 15 September, a total of 52 films will be shown, covering the entire spectrum of film genres. With a competition, special attention is also being paid to short films.

Even though comedies traditionally enjoy great popularity at the festival, this year sees a change of direction for the first time. Subjects such as radicalisation, religion, globalisation and social criticism shape the 15th edition. To spread the messages of French filmmakers forcefully in German-speaking Switzerland as well, not only are most of the films subtitled in German, they are also accompanied by numerous guests. Director Arnaud Desplechin, for instance, is coming to Biel with the thriller “Roubaix, une lumière”, as is Fabienne Berthaud with her self-discovery drama “Un monde plus grand”, highly praised in advance. Berthaud will be accompanied by the Belgian actress Cécile de France. A regular guest is the Swiss high-flyer Kacey Mottet Klein, who, as a radicalised youth in André Téchiné’s “L’adieu à la nuit”, has already stood in front of the camera with Catherine Deneuve for the second time.

Whereas in its early days the festival was often a loose collection of new francophone films, in recent years the event has increasingly developed a clear profile. Sections such as “Clin d’œil au cinéma suisse” or the short film competition “Section découverte” make it easier for visitors to find their way through the packed programme. And to bring everything to do with cinema to a broad audience beyond the screenings as well, a three-day Festival OFFF is being held for the first time, where the most varied facets of the art of film can be discovered free of charge. (ra)