«Sounds»: James McAvoy as star guest

In the «Sounds» section, the 21st Zurich Film Festival celebrates the relationship between film and music. Scottish actor and director James McAvoy will attend the festival as the special guest and headliner of the music program. At the Award Night in the Zurich Opera House, he will personally present his directorial debut CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’, as the Closing Film, which will have its European premiere. Additionally, he will be offering insights into his work at a ZFF Masters.

Renowned for his performances in SPEAK NO EVIL, ATONEMENT, X-MEN and SPLIT, James McAvoy now steps behind the camera with his directorial debut CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’. The film tells he extraordinary but true story of Scottish rappers «Silibil N' Brains», who fooled the music industry as a fake Californian duo.

On October 4, James McAvoy will be the special guest at the Festival’s Award Night at the Zurich Opera House, where he will present his directorial debut in its European premiere. As the Closing Film, the screening will provide a dazzling finale to the festival and will be shown for the first time in the festive setting of the Opera House – following the awards ceremony that honors the winners of the feature film and documentary competitions.

«CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’ is a highly entertaining music film based on a true story, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the world of show business and revealing how thin the line between reality and illusion can be», says Festival Director Christian Jungen. «We are thrilled that James McAvoy has chosen to celebrate the European premiere here in Zurich, giving our audience a truly unique experience of Zurich Opera House. We look forward to welcoming him to the Festival and are confident he has a remarkable career as a director ahead of him.»

Sounds – Where Cinema Breathes Music

The «Sounds» section was introduced at the Zurich Film Festival in 2019 and has since been dedicated to exploring the timeless interplay between image and sound. At its core is a carefully curated selection of feature films and documentaries in which music plays a central role – whether through portraits of musicians, outstanding soundtracks, or the exploration of sound as a cinematic element. In addition to McAvoy’s CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’, the «Sounds» section presents further highlights.

CALIFORNIA SCHEEMIN' by James McAvoy

Zwei Musiker spielen leidenschaftlich auf der Bühne, halten Mikrofone in der Hand und stehen sich gegenüber. Hinter ihnen sind bunte Bühnenlichter und ein großer Hintergrund mit fetter Schrift zu sehen, die eine energiegeladene Konzertatmosphäre schaffen.

At the end of the 1990s, Gavin and Billy were being ridiculed in Scotland for their rap music – their accents and backgrounds were considered career killers. So, they reinvented themselves as a Californian rap duo called Silibil N' Brains. Armed with fake biographies, American accents, and boundless self-confidence, they swindled their way into a record deal in London and a tour with Eminem. But the high didn't last long. In his brilliant directorial debut, actor James McAvoy, who also plays a role in the film, brings to the screen the true story of an artistic duo who dreamt of being noticed.

PLANÈTES by Momoko Seto

Drei große Löwenzahnsamen mit braunen Stielen stehen aufrecht auf einer verschneiten, vereisten Klippe, unter einem wirbelnden, türkisfarbenen Himmel oder einer eisigen Decke, die eine surreale, traumhafte Landschaft schaffen.

Dandelion, Baraban, Léonto, and Taraxa are extraordinary friends – they are four seeds that once belonged to the same dandelion. When a nuclear explosion destroys Earth, they are hurled into space. After landing on an unknown planet, the friends set out in search of a new home. With its atmospheric music comprising orchestral and electronic elements and a many-layered sound design, DANDELION'S ODYSSEY dazzles without words. It’s a visually stunning fable about the power of nature to renew itself in spaces where humans cannot interfere.

MELODY by Anka Schmid

Eine Person mit kurzem Haar, auffälligem Eyeliner und einem Nasenring hält ein Mikrofon, während sie singt oder spricht. Die Szene ist in blaues Licht getaucht, mit einem verschwommenen Hintergrund, der eine Schreibtischlampe und abstrakte Muster zeigt.

In a world of crises and alienation, singing can evoke feelings of vitality and give meaning to our existence. In her documentary film, Zurich-based filmmaker Anka Schmid delves into the power of singing and its effect on our emotions. She recounts musical excursions as an emotional kaleidoscope – be it with a choir, with soccer fans, with premature babies, with dementia patients, in a monastery, or on an Alpine meadow. The film gently explores the feelings of people who sing and asks: To what extent does singing inspire in us a sense of comfort, of solidarity, and of fortitude?

IT'S NEVER OVER JEFF BUCKLEY by Amy Berg

Ein junger Mann mit zerzaustem braunem Haar steht vor einem alten Mikrofon und blickt direkt in die Kamera. Im Hintergrund sind dramatische, dunkle Vorhänge mit bläulichem Licht zu sehen.

How do you capture the short life of an artist whose voice resonates till today? The up-and-coming musician Jeff Buckley released only one album before his sudden death in 1997. American director Amy Berg brings to the screen a sensitive portrait using previously unseen footage, private voice messages, and striking testimonies from Buckley's circle. The film brings Buckley to life, both as a person and an artist. It goes beyond the usual headlines and captures his music with an emotionality that strikes a deep chord.

EPiC: ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT by Baz Luhrmann

Ein Mann in einem weißen Anzug mit hohem Kragen und rotem Hemd steht lächelnd auf der Bühne, hinter ihm stehen Menschen in bunten Kostümen. Der Hintergrund ist dunkel und konzentriert sich auf den Mann im Vordergrund.

What if there were pictures of Elvis Presley that no one had ever seen? While researching for his Oscar-nominated feature film ELVIS, Baz Luhrmann stumbled upon just that, material which had long been considered lost. After extensive restoration, Luhrmann is now showing the footage on the big screen. This time, the focus is on Presley's musical talent and his interactions with other band members. EPiC: ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT combines moments from intense rehearsals, marked by both diligence and tomfoolery, with powerful and majestic live performances. This film is a refreshing watch, as it shows the approachable side of the «King of Rock 'n' Roll».

THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE by Mona Fastvold

Eine Gruppe von Menschen in historischer Kleidung hebt wild die Arme und bewegt sich chaotisch in einem schwach beleuchteten Raum, in dessen Mitte eine Frau steht, die nach oben blickt und vom Licht eines Fensters angestrahlt wird.

As the founder of the Shaker movement, Ann Lee (Amanda Seyfried) was one of America's most influential religious figures. Mona Fastvold's captivating feature film tells the story of Lee's past, which had a profound influence on her views on women. Featuring an exhilarating soundtrack by Oscar-winning composer Daniel Blumberg of THE BRUTALIST fame, THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE makes for an immersive musical film experience. With a mix of songs and artistic dances, it creates a compelling narrative about the transformative energy of the body and the voice.