A Swiss festival, an announcement from the Ministry, Madrid in full swing, Mulan on VOD, a filmmaker on the boards and well saturated sound

The Locarno festival in Switzerland begins this Wednesday and focuses on the future.

It is one of the most select and prestigious film festivals on the planet and like all events of the genre this year, Locarno had to review its copy. But rather than canceling this event, the organizers have decided to offer a half-virtual, half real edition. Locarno 2020 will take place both on the internet and in 3 venues in the city. Debates, round tables and film presentations will be visible online. Around a hundred films, short or long, will be screened from today until August 15 on site, in Locarno. And the particularity of this edition, it is to have chosen to present a competition of films "in the making". Films blocked by the health crisis, which are at different stages of their production. They can be in pre-production, filming, final editing. Everyone will try to win a prize that will help them survive in this complicated period. The programming as usual gives pride of place to world author cinema. So if you are in the area or if you want to discover the films of tomorrow, go to their website: www.locarnofestival.ch

It's official, theaters will once again be able to refuel.

It was the Ministry of Culture who announced it last night. From August 15, cultural gatherings of more than 5,000 people will again be allowed. Then it will obviously be necessary to respect a few instructions: wear a mask obligatory, a seat of separation between people or groups of people. But the organizers of shows and festivals are starting to find some hope. And it is not finished since from September 1, the spectacles will be able to be held without gauge, nor prefectural authorization. Roselyne Bachelot's Ministry has promised other announcements for August 24. We will be watching all of this very closely. 

In the cinema, a film comes out at the right time.

This movie is called "Eva in August". So it's a Spanish film. We are in Madrid in the first half of a scorching August month. The sun is crushing, the asphalt perspires, the bodies undulate nonetheless carelessly. In the middle of this city and these so typical alleys, a young woman: Eva. A thirty-something who is looking for herself, who takes stock of her life and who will link up with friends and love to find herself better. 

"Eva in August" is clearly auteur cinema. We think of the New Wave. We think especially of the films of Eric Rohmer. And if the film is sometimes a little long, the scenario deserves to be a little more tightened, we are still under the spell in front of the actress Itsaso Arana. His character is endearing. We take a real pleasure in seeing her wander around and rebuild herself in this "life before". It's a bit strange to find life in Madrid before the Covid. From the time when you could improvise a duet dance in the street, talk to each other without social distancing, touch each other without fear and attend a close-knit concert. Small pleasures of everyday life that appear even more charming in this period. "Eva in August" is a small bubble of lightness and optimism. The film has been in theaters since this morning.

The Deauville festival will pay tribute to a filmmaker next September.

This director is Barbet Schroeder. A Franco-Iranian but who has made several films in the United States, which is a sine-qua-non to be honored by the American Film Festival. We will notably remember from his overseas production the films "Barfly", "The Von Bulow mystery" or the very chilling "Young woman would share an apartment" with Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh released in 1992. The director will give a master class during the festival. It will be hosted by the always prolific and fascinating film critic Philippe Rouyer. So make a note of it in your agenda: the Deauville festival will be held from September 4 to 13. And Vanessa Paradis will be the president of the Jury. So chic!

Bad news for theaters: "Mulan" will finally be released directly on VOD.

It was to be one of the summer blockbusters. The exhibitors were betting on a release at the end of August to boost attendance and encourage spectators to return to the theater. But there is the cold shower. Disney has just decided that “Mulan” will be visible from September 4 on its “Disney +” platform, at least in countries where this platform is available. France should therefore be part of it. And the price will be up to it. It will cost $ 29.99 to see the adventures of young Mulan in live action. Disney clarified that this choice was exceptional and that this did not mean that this solution would apply to its next productions. The Disney group lost four billion euros in the last quarter due to containment. But the figures of the "Disney +" platform, them, do not stop swelling. Disney + now has more than 57 million subscribers around the world. 

We end with the Bastille group which presents us its title "What You Gonna Do ???".

As its name does not indicate, Bastille is an English quartet. They are from London more precisely. In this song, the guitars are saturated, the melody is very pop. It's quite electric. You want to shake your head when you listen to it. So it's called "What You Gonna Do ???", with three question marks at the end.