Biel Becomes the Centre of Francophone Filmmaking for the 21st Time

Even though the FFFH traditionally covers all genres – from drama and thrillers to comedy – for some years now the film selection has increasingly signalled a clear stance when it comes to content. With her curation, Edna Epelbaum is attuned to the signs of our times and manages, year after year, to reflect France’s changing film scene in all its facets. As in previous years, numerous women feature in the programme of the 21st edition, whether on screen or as directors. And the filmmakers are increasingly addressing highly topical circumstances and events. Questions of identity take centre stage, as do the social tensions in a rapidly changing world.

In this way, the FFFH – in addition to its closeness to the audience – also focuses on underlining the value of French film as a relevant form of contemporary art. What further distinguishes the FFFH is that 44 of the 50 works are subtitled in German (or at least in English), placing the emphasis on Biel’s bilingualism and uniting the two language communities in the cinema.

Illustrious guests…

On the opening night on Thursday, director Thierry Klifa is a guest and presents his dramedy “La femme la plus riche du monde”, inspired by the famous Bettencourt affair and starring Isabelle Huppert. On Friday, Belgian director Solange Cicurel presents her drama “TKT” (text-speak abbreviation for “t’inquiète”), featuring the late Émilie Dequenne in one of her last roles. Numerous further encounters with filmmakers are on the programme over the weekend, particularly as part of the “Clin d’œil au cinéma suisse” section: on Saturday morning, director Fabienne Steiner presents her first feature-length documentary “Fitting in” at the special screening of the Forum for Bilingualism. Director and producer Lionel Baier, who has been a guest at the FFFH in previous years, is also coming to Biel as producer of the first two episodes of Jean-Stéphane Bron’s series “The Deal”. In addition, director Mélisa Godet presents her first feature film “La Maison des femmes”, inspired by a women’s shelter in the Greater Paris area, together with actress Laetitia Dosch. On Sunday, actress Olivia Ross and Swiss director Damien Dorsaz take to the stage of the REX to show “Lady Nazca” as a Grande Première, and on the same day director Joséphine Japy and actress Angelina Woreth present the film “Qui brille au combat”.

…and even more illustrious films

Alongside the works presented in person by their makers, numerous films can be seen at the FFFH for the first time in Switzerland or in German-speaking Switzerland: Luc Besson’s version of “Dracula”, for example, or, as a Grande Première, François Ozon’s “L’étranger”, based on Albert Camus’ novel of the same name. Ozon is represented twice: “Quand vient l’automne” is screening as a German-speaking Swiss premiere. Audiences can also look forward to “Jeunes mères”, the new film by the brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, as well as Pierre Richard’s directorial work “L’homme qui a vu l’ours qui a vu l’homme” and “Ma mère, Dieu et Sylvie Vartan” by Ken Scott.

A short film competition (“Prix découverte Bonhôte”) and the awarding of the “Prix Célestine” to a feature film have for years been among the coveted awards for emerging talent presented in Biel. Another tradition is the tour the festival undertakes through the German-speaking areas of the Canton of Bern, promoting francophone filmmaking in places where the selected films would otherwise never be seen.

All information on the films, the guests and the extensive supporting programme of the 21st edition can be found on the festival website.