Ongoing exhibitions at the San Sebastian Film Festival (the most important Spanish-speaking festival in the world, the San Sebastian Film Festival, will return this year with eight expected projects divided into two categories: WIP Europe and WIP Latam. Both showcases will take place in Basque City from September 22-24.
Among the Latin American showcase, the prolific Mexican Auther Fernando Inbuque plans to make the most of his stay in the Basque country by presenting “Olmo” supported by Latinos and his plans for Brad Pitt in his new project “Fly”. The Chilean duo of Leon & Kosinha, an interdisciplinary stop motion animator, tracked “The Wolf House” in the fantasy “The Neverending Plague”, and “We Are Five” by Fernanda Tobah and “Sad Girl” by Esteban Josgarcia and Juan Miguel Geraciora Mirez
The most notable absence of this year is Argentina. For the first time in 15 years, WIP LATAM’s choice reflects that South American powers also reflect poor offerings in the festival’s main programme (there are only three official selections this year: “27 Nights”, “Belém” and “Trends”).
The exploration of the diaspora has become a major pervasive part of European camps, following Massy Parsayi’s “lovers sleep alone” and Iranian men living in Berlin’s exile, Elif Sozen’s “veha” heads in the opposite direction by telling the story of a woman who returns to her homeland in Turkey after years of living. Jonas Bak will track his 2021 debut, “Wood and Water.” In “Where Where Where Where Where Sleep,” Germany and Ukraine director Tatjana Moutchnik will present his first feature in “February, Seven Days.”
Last year’s participation project at WIP Latam has been a successful year. Daniel Hendler’s “A Slow End” recently played the Venice spotlight, while Ivan Fund’s “The Messager” won the prestigious Juju Award in Berlin. On the European side, Salamilo Fischer’s “Good Sister” will premiere in the Panoramic Section of Berlin, while Sames Altun’s “As We Breathe” will compete in the sidebar of San Sebastian’s new director.
All WIP Europe projects have won industry awards in the category worth 10,000 Euro ($11,700) while WIP Latam offers the Edea Platino Industry Award worth 30,000 Euro ($35,200).
Below we look at eight titles across the festival’s two WIP lineup.
wip latam
“We weren’t five anymore” (“A la hora de poner la mesa yanoéramoscinco”), dir. Esteban Joyos Garcia, Juan Miguel Gueracio Ramirez – Colombia, USA
(Selva Productions, Chicamocha Films, Andante Producciones, Redline Enterprises)
The Columbia-directed duo returned to San Sebastian’s WIP Ratum two years after their debut, “Selva/Jangra.” Their second-grade character is about their mother who lost track of their son in an armed conflict. Losing hope with the institution, she sets out on a journey to a group of women who tell her about a mysterious village where she can seek favor from the dead, and seeks answers that blur the line between the living and the dead. Carminez is an actor of the “Bird Passing” star.
“Sad Girl” (“Chicas Tristes”), dir. Fernanda Toval – Mexico, Spain, France
(Colectivo Colmena, Martinishot Films, Potenza Producciones, Promenades Films)
Tober’s short film “Mi Edad, La Tuya Y La Edad Del Mundo” was screened during the week of Cannes “Critics” in 2022 and received special mention at the Morelia Festival. Her featured debut, “Sad Girls,” analyzes the changing relationship between the two best swimmers and friends on the team after an incident at the party. One wants to be quiet, the other wants revenge. Their friendship, which had previously not been broken, is tested more than ever. The project marks Colectivo Colmena’s first international collaborative production.
“The Neverending Plague” (“La Plaga Sin Fin”), dir. Joaquín Cociña Varas, Cristóbal León Dooner – Chile, Netherlands, Uruguay, Germany, France
(León & Cociña Films, Globo Rojo Films, Vikings Films, Montelona, Autentika Films, Premium Films)
The duo, known as Leon & Kosigna, previously won the Best Short Film Award at Venice Horizons for “Los Husos,” and Berlin’s Caligari Awards won their debut, “The Wolf House.” Their second-year efforts are a fantasy following Princess Diana, who falls in love with the young nomad Lalo, despite her father’s wishes. Desperately, she embarks on a journey in search of love. Stars Antonia Gisen (“Rajauria”) and Andrew Bergstead (“Awakening of My Brother’s Dream”).
“Fly” (“Moscus”), dir. Fernando Eimbcke – Mexico
(Kinotitlán, Teorema)
The next film by famous Mexican director Inbuk (Olmo, Duck Season) is produced by Michel Franco’s Theorema and star “Totem” breakout Telecita Sanchez. The actor plays Olga. Olga watches her sublimate her apartment room into Tulio. When Turio leaves for a few days and leaves his 9-year-old son in his place, Olga must face her biggest fear: emotional connection.
Courtesy of Collectibo Cormena, “Cicastristes”
WIP Europe
“My lover sleeps alone” (working title), dir. Massih Parsaei – Germany
(Filmfive, FilmuniversitätBabelsbergKonrad Wolf)
Born in Tehran, Parsaei has directed a series of shorts over the past decade, including “Vertraut” (2016), “Ölelések” (2018), and “über Anna” (2018). “Lovers Sleep Alone” is his feature debut, and he also writes and edits. He leaves Iran and cuts ties with his family, followed by Iman, a young man living in exile in Berlin. The lonely castaway, Iman’s only relationship is his sexual relationship with Andre. A surprise visit from his cousin disrupts the man’s routine and regains the repressed memories of a long past.
“Februar, 7 Days” (“Sieben Tage Februar”), dir. Tatjana Moutchnik – Germany, Austria
(Wood film, Wega film)
German-Ukrainian director Tatjana Moutchnik (A Veteran’s Destiny, Bear Hill Path) will be featured in Germany in 2022. While the family is debating the most culturally appropriate mourning ritual, Russia launches a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, turning its lives overturned. Veteran Austrian producer Veit Heiduschka (“Amour”) is one of the producers of the film under his Wega movie banner.
“Somewhere between sleep,” dir. Jonas Baku – France, Germany
(Trans movie)
Bak’s 2021 feature debut, “Wood and Water,” was screened in New York, London and Uruguay, with special mention from the Compass Perspective Award in Berlin, and won the Best Film Award in the new Director’s Competition. His sophomore character is reunited with his mother Anke Baku, who starred in his first outing. In “Somewhere Between Sleep,” Anke meets Lisa on a cold day, and they both consider leaving the small town of Black Forest.
“Veha” dir. Elif Sözen – Türkiye, France, Saudi Arabia
(Kalavara Film, Les Films D’Ici, Red Sea Fund)
The debut of Sozen (“Celebration”, “Wan”), featuring “unfaithful” star Orkei Yusfoglu, brings back to a small Turkish village after her mother died. When Meral disappears, it is up to her old friend Nilay to not only understand why her friend mysteriously left, but also to take care of her son and manage the now irreparable future. Hebnemsönmez (“7 numara”) is also part of the cast.
