Swiss Films at Locarno: Loot, The Chilean & More

With the Locarno Film Festival about to unfurl its annual celebration of global cinema, the Swiss contingent is generating considerable buzz. From a genre-bending heist adventure to a political portrait of a fugitive, a whimsical Don Quixote-inspired journey, and a micro-budget relationship study, the domestic lineup offers a rich cross-section of the country’s filmmaking ambitions.

'The Chilean' and a Hunt for Loot

Among the most anticipated Swiss entries is “The Chilean,” a tense drama that follows a former secret police agent from the Pinochet era who has been living under the radar in a quiet Alpine town. When an unexpected encounter threatens to expose his past, he embarks on a desperate hunt for a hidden stash of loot - the proceeds of a long-ago operation. The film, directed by a rising Swiss auteur known for his taut psychological thrillers, weaves a cat-and-mouse narrative across the rugged terrain of the Bernese Oberland. Early word from festival insiders suggests that the lead performance, by a veteran actor making a rare return to the big screen, could be a breakout of the entire program.

Don Quixote Meets the Alps

Another standout is a loose, contemporary adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes’ classic, simply referred to in festival materials as the “Don Quixote” segment of the lineup. The filmmaker reimagines the tilting-at-windmills saga as a road movie set in the Swiss countryside. Instead of a knight in rusty armor, the protagonist is an eccentric elderly farmer who, after losing his wife, sets out on a rusted bicycle to right what he sees as the wrongs of his small valley. His Sancho Panza is a reluctant teenage neighbor who secretly films the whole journey on his phone. The result is a comic, poignant meditation on delusion and dignity, blending handheld realism with fleeting moments of magic.

'Small Talk' Makes a Big Impression

On the opposite end of the scale, “Small Talk” arrives as a minimalist counterpoint to these larger narratives. Shot in a single location - a Zurich laundromat over the course of one night - the film follows two strangers who are forced into conversation when a power outage traps them inside. What begins as awkward chatter about detergent and lost socks slowly reveals hidden grief, loneliness, and an unexpected tenderness. The director, known for her documentary roots, cast two stage actors who improvised much of the dialogue, giving the film a raw, eavesdropped-upon authenticity. Festival programmers have highlighted “Small Talk” as a showcase for the Swiss tradition of intimate, low-budget storytelling that prioritizes performance over spectacle.

A Showcase of National Identity

The Locarno festival has long served as a launchpad for Swiss cinema, offering a domestic platform that often goes underappreciated in the shadow of Cannes or Venice. This year’s selection underscores a recurring theme: the tension between isolated individuals and the landscapes they inhabit. Whether a political thriller, a quixotic comedy, or a stripped-down drama, each film uses the Swiss setting not merely as a backdrop but as an active character - cold, majestic, and quietly judgmental.

Industry observers note that Swiss filmmakers have increasingly turned inward, exploring national identity in an era of global uncertainty. “The Chilean” tackles the legacy of authoritarianism and the moral cost of hiding in plain sight. The Don Quixote riff questions what it means to be a hero in a place where the greatest battles are fought with bureaucracy and solitude. And “Small Talk” finds profound connection in the most ordinary of circumstances.

What to Watch For

Audiences at Locarno will get a first look at these films in the coming days, with several entries already generating strong word of mouth among European distributors. While no official release dates for the US market have been announced, the festival’s reputation for launching arthouse hits means these titles are likely to find their way to American screens later this year or in early 2027.

For now, the Swiss program offers a compelling argument for skipping the marquee international premieres and spending time in the smaller theaters along the Piazza Grande. The hunt for loot, the pursuit of windmills, and the quiet revelations of a late-night chat all promise to make this year’s Swiss cinema showcase one of the festival’s most memorable.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter