From September 24 to October 4, the Zurich Film Festival will present five feature films and documentaries in its Sounds section, celebrating the many facets of the connection between film and music. The lineup includes the energetic drama HA-CHAN, SHAKE YOUR BOOTY! as well as the documentary DIE ZUKUNFT IST VERGANGENHEIT, which explores the closure of the popular Zurich cultural institution «Zuki». The Sounds section is presented by SRF and JTI.
Since the dawn of cinema, image and sound have been inextricably linked – and this is precisely where the Sounds section comes in. The focus is on a selection of feature films and documentaries in which the soundtrack plays a central role, whether through portraits of musicians, outstanding film scores, or works that fundamentally explore the role of sound in cinema.
HA-CHAN, SHAKE YOUR BOOTY! by Josef Kubota Wladyka
64-year-old Haru (Rinko Kikuchi) and her husband, Luis (Alejandro Edda), love taking part in dance competitions in Tokyo. After a tragedy, Haru loses her footing and closes herself off from the world. When friends persuade her to return to the dance studio, she develops a crush on her new dance instructor (Alberto Guerra). As sparks fly, Haru must face her future. With lively dance sequences and rousing music, director Josef Kubota Wladyka presents an energetic story about a passion for dancing and about allowing oneself – step by step – to love again.
ULTIMATE THUNDER by Ben G. Brown
The punk band Ultimate Thunder consists of six musicians with learning disabilities, Down syndrome, or autism. With their raw, improvised performances, they have made a name for themselves that continues to gain attention. During filming, the band faces several new challenges, including cut funding, a life-saving heart surgery, and the inexplicable loss of their frontman’s voice. Nevertheless, the six stick together and persevere. ULTIMATE THUNDER tells the story of a band whose rebellious essence is entirely in the spirit of punk with plenty of heart and charm.
NINO – UN FILM SU NINO ROTA by Walter Fasano
Nino Rota shaped film history like few others with his unforgettable compositions – from his unmistakable compositional style to the iconic sound of THE GODFATHER. In NINO – UN FILM SU NINO ROTA, director Walter Fasano traces the extraordinary career of the Italian Oscar winner and pays tribute to his significance to international film history. A documentary about Rota's unique ability to move generations of viewers with his melodies.
DIE ZUKUNFT IST VERGANGENHEIT by Stephan Schulz, Julian Kirchner
In March 2025, the Zurich cultural institution «Zukunft» was forced to close its doors for good. This prompted Stephan Schulz and Julian Kirchner to make a documentary in their spare time. They document the final days of «Zuki» and the essence that made this gathering place so special. Through the eyes of those involved and of well-known DJs, DIE ZUKUNFT IST VERGANGENHEIT captures a place that helped set the pulse of Zurich’s Kreis 4 for two decades. In doing so, the film tells not only the story of a club’s demise, but also of what is lost when established cultural spaces give way to gentrification.
MISTY GREEN by Chris Rock
Years after her first breakthrough in Hollywood, the career of talented actress and singer Misty Green (Rosalind Eleazar) has stalled. But then star director Jordan (Chris Rock) offers her a second chance with the perfect role. At the same time Misty is struggling with personal issues. As the pressure to come up with money mounts, Misty considers an offer from her ex-boyfriend (Adam Driver) that is as despicable as it is lucrative. A film about the contrasts of the City of Stars, where talent isn’t always enough to make it to the top.
The complete program for the 22nd ZFF will be published on the website on Wednesday, September 9, starting at 12:00 PM. Ticket sales begin on Monday, September 14, 2026.
