“Men” by Alex Garland – June 23
In a quiet English town, a recently widowed woman named Harper seeks the calm she once knew. The weight of grief clings to her, yet the challenge she faces runs deeper than sorrow. A presence from the surrounding woods begins to shadow her days, echoing the haunting trials that haunted a different hero in Garland’s unsettling universe. The filmmaker Alex Garland has earned a reputation as a leading voice in contemporary science fiction, bringing to life provocative visions in works like Ex Machina, Annihilation, and the Developed series. Earlier still, his novel The Beach, later adapted for the screen with Leonardo DiCaprio, showcased his fascination with mystical forces and the way they reveal hidden truths about the self. Garland often treats fear as a doorway to self-discovery, using eerie, otherworldly elements as catalysts for character transformation.
“Off season”, Alexander Khant – from June 23
Two teenage girls, Sasha and Dani, are determined to redefine their futures against a backdrop of adult worlds that seem unjust and restrictive. Sasha dreams of sparking her own revolution, while Dani tests boundaries by challenging her mother’s authority. Their shared longing for freedom evolves into a reckless adventure that pushes the limits of loyalty and identity. What begins as a spontaneous escape becomes a confrontation with consequences that echo the famous rivalries of youth and romance, though with a distinct air of rebellion. Khant, known for mixing tragicomic sensibilities with bold genre shifts, pushes this new feature beyond conventional storytelling. On social networks, the film is often likened to a modern alliance of coming-of-age grit and sharp social satire. The narrative relies on brisk momentum and a raw sense of danger, keeping the outcome in view while prioritizing the emotional journey over spoilers.
“Wolf” (“Wolf”), Natalie Biancheri – from June 2
Jacob, portrayed by George McKay, finds himself in a correctional clinic where a rare condition called genre dysphoria reframes identity through animal-inspired self-perception. The staff’s methods to guide him back toward a conventional self-image clash with the magnetism of Wild Cat, a provocative figure who awakens a fierce, primal energy within him. Biancheri’s drama offers a piercing look at otherness and belonging, giving a voice to those who are too often labeled as outsiders. McKay delivers a compelling performance, anchoring a film that feels both intimate and philosophically expansive as it examines humanity through a werewolf-like lens of transformation.
“Manyunya in the Cinema”, Arman Marutyan – from June 2
The full-length edition of the series Manyunya unfolds in Armenia during the late 1970s. Two restless schoolgirls, Manyunya and Narine, forge a bond amid mountains, sunlit meadows, and a sense of childhood summer that feels almost magical. The setting frames a series of bright, humorous, and touching adventures that resonate with a nostalgia for a simpler time. The adaptation, based on Narine Abgaryan’s popular novel, presents a vivid, hopeful tone that celebrates friendship and the joyous unpredictability of youth.
“The Invisible World” (“La naissance des arbres”), Laura Wandel – from June 16
On a schoolyard, Nora and Abel test the boundaries of childhood friendship and social play. As the world of adults becomes more complex and sometimes harsher, the children navigate new dynamics and the challenges of belonging. Wandel’s film has earned global praise for its truthful and compassionate portrayal of early social life, earning Oscar recognition in the Best Foreign Language Film category and accolades at Cannes. Its quiet, meticulous storytelling invites viewers to reconsider what it means to connect, learn, and grow in the face of uncertainty.
“Sounds of the Arctic”, Ivan Vdovin – from 9 June
Three vignettes illuminate life among the Far North, each exploring tradition, resilience, and the power of music within communities that balance heritage with modern pressures. The film follows a journey that intertwines the everyday choices of its characters with a broader meditation on cultural survival. A notable inclusion features Denis Simachev, a renowned restaurateur and DJ, who travels north to capture Arctic sounds. His expedition culminates in a single, immersive musical work that blends ethnographic detail with contemporary audio storytelling, culminating in a distinctive audio-visual experience. The project also inspired the Arktika music album and demonstrates how place and sound shape identity across generations.
“Main role” (“Competencia official”), Mariano Kohn, Gaston Duprat – from June 30
In this satirical study of show business, a triumphant yet flawed billionaire pursues cinematic immortality by assembling a marquee team to produce a landmark film. The project hinges on a dynamic, controversial director, Lola Cuevas, starring a lineup that includes Felix Rivero and Ivan Torres, each bringing their own star-power and artistic tension to the table. The interplay of ambition, ego, and art exposes the rough underbelly of fame, seduction, and the pursuit of cultural legacy. The film world’s theater becomes a stage for witty critique, with the Venice Film Festival providing a world premiere backdrop that mirrors the ambition and anxiety of the industry itself.
“Jane through the eyes of Charlotte” (“Jane par Charlotte”), Charlotte Gainsbourg – from 23 June
Charlotte Gainsbourg delves into a documentary that explores the life of her mother, the iconic Jane Birkin, through personal reflection and archival material. The project seeks to illuminate a family narrative that is both intimate and historically resonant, offering audiences a candid look at lineage, memory, and the ways in which art can illuminate personal history. Premiering in the non-competition section of a major film festival, the film received wide critical attention for its warm, perceptive approach to storytelling and biography.
“River” by Jennifer Peedom – June 16
Rivers unfolds as a provocatively measured homage to water, weaving awe-inspiring imagery from across the globe with a musical score that spans Bach, Vivaldi, and modern soundscapes. The documentary, directed by Jennifer Peedom, continues her exploration of nature’s grandeur, expanding on prior work while maintaining a sharp, reflective voice. The film’s original narration included Willem Dafoe in the United States version, with a Russian-lingual adaptation voiced by Sergei Burunov for local audiences. The result is a cinematic meditation on water as life’s source and the fragility of ecological balance.
“Young Man”, Alexander Fomin – from June 9
Vanya Revzin, a gifted student with a string of accolades, faces a disheartening career plateau as adulthood looms. A failed romance, a stalled professional life, and a sense of stagnation push him toward a risky plan. When he discovers a high-stakes competition hosted by a cunning former classmate, he embraces a bold ruse. The improvisation, which involves disguises and deception, hints at deeper questions about identity, time, and what it means to truly live beyond qualifications and accolades. The film paints a portrait of ambition, aging, and the audacity of youth through a provocative, character-driven lens.