The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Jim Sharman, England 1975): “I'm just a sweet transvestite, from Transsexual, Transylvania”, sings Tim Curry in his iconic role as Dr. Frank N. Furter. The musical, which is often described as the biggest cult film of all time, celebrates being different in every way. With the extravagant characters and the hilarious story of rock'n'roll, sexiness and science fiction, no backside sits still on the cinema chair.
Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (Ariane Louis-Seize, Canada 2023): A young vampire opposes being a vampire for ethical reasons and is looking for a “victim” who wants to leave life voluntarily. Canadian director Louis-Seize's feature film debut is currently being showered with awards all over the world. The wonderfully sensitive vampire comedy goes to the heart and impresses with endearing characters and fantastic staging. The film will be shown as a Swiss premiere.
Bride of Frankenstein (James Whale, USA 1935): The action begins immediately after the events of the first film and follows the story of Dr. Frankenstein, who is driven once again by his unscrupulous quest for creation in order to create a partner for his monster. The film is considered an icon in the LGBTQIA+ movement and deserves this iconic character simply because of its production. It was directed by Hollywood's first openly homosexual director James Whale, who specifically queer the leading role of Dr. Pretorius. Above all, Frankenstein's bride (played by Elsa Lanchester) is often read as a symbol of the struggle of the LGBTQIA+ community. Created to serve as a bride of Frankenstein's monster, she defies the expectations of her creator and thus opposes the prevailing balance of power.
Attack the Block (Joe Cornish, England 2011): Protagonist Moses (played by John Boyega) and a group of young people from London's Southend, a problem district, must defend themselves against an alien threat. The underdogs must grow up to be heroes in a world that sees them as an unpopular outsider. Superficially, the film appears as an entertaining independent sci-fi horror comedy. But in essence, it addresses systematic discrimination and social expectations that persist in many places to this day.
Un couteau dans le coeur (Yann Gonzales, France/Switzerland 2018): The French director's feature film debut is set in the Parisian gay scene of the late 1970s. The life of Anne (played by Vanessa Paradis), a producer of cheap gay porn, changes dramatically when she is abandoned by her partner Loïs (Kate Moran) and her cast fall victim to a series of mysterious murders. The wild mix of styles of slasher, drama and thriller is described as “gay emancipation cinema.”
The five films in the season special will be moderated and accompanied by panel discussions.
In the Official Selection, visitors can expect around 30 international feature films, most of them as Swiss premieres. The first program highlights have already been announced:
The eagerly awaited French creature horror film Vermines (Sébastien Vanicek, France 2023) will be shown as a Swiss premiere. People with a fear of spiders are strongly advised not to attend the performance: Horror is crawling from all corners!
When Evil Lurks (Demián Rugna, Argentina 2023) is also a cinema for the hard-boiled and features handmade body horror effects and a gripping story. At BRUGGGORE as a Swiss premiere.
Daaaaaali! (Quentin Dupieux, France 2023) is the new crazy work by Quentin Dupieux, which we are showing as a Swiss premiere for lovers of quirky cinema. And it rarely gets as bizarre as when the master of the absurd tries his hand at the portrait of a legendary surrealist.
The Sin (Han Dong-seok, South Korea 2023) has only been played at a few festivals worldwide and is a visually impressive work of occult horror. With us in April as a Swiss premiere.
Hundreds of Beavers (Mike Cheslik, USA 2022) is one of the most bizarre films of the season — and is brimming with ridiculous ideas. The film is celebrating its German-Swiss premiere at BRUGGGORE.
Cooperation with Presenting Partners will be further expanded in 2024. The international festival for animated film Fantoche in Baden, the Figura Theatre Festival Baden, the Brugger Documentary Film Days and the Bernese KULTMOVIEGANG will each present one film and further expand our cinematic horizons. The films will be announced at the beginning of April with the complete program.
