Hair, Paper, Water Art Installation Travels to Locarno
Lights on Shines at Locarno with “hair, Paper, Water…” and a Fourth Consecutive Year in Filmmakers of the present
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Lights On is set to make a notable splash at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival, marking their fourth consecutive year participating in the esteemed Filmmakers of the Present competition. The independent film production and distribution company will showcase two feature films at the upcoming edition, including the highly anticipated “Hair, Paper, Water…” by Nicolas Graux and Trương Minh Quý.
A Bold Collaboration Takes Center Stage
Flavio Armone, co-founder and managing director of Lights On, expressed his excitement about the festival’s continued recognition of their work. “We’re thrilled to be part of Locarno’s Festival Filmmakers of the Present competition for the fourth consecutive year,” Armone stated. ”We will present two feature films at the upcoming edition, including ‘Hair, Paper, Water…’ by Nicolas Graux and Trương Minh Quý – an exceptionally bold piece that we’re sure will captivate audiences worldwide.”
This marks a significant reunion for Graux and Truong, who previously collaborated on the critically acclaimed short film “Porcupine” (2023). That film premiered to acclaim at the Rotterdam Film Festival and went on to win the jury prize for best artistic contribution at the Pink Screens Film Festival, hinting at the powerful synergy between the two filmmakers.
Trương Minh Quý: A Rising Star in Documentary-Fiction
Trương Minh Quý,a filmmaker hailing from Vietnam’s Central Highlands,has been steadily building an international reputation for his innovative approach to documentary-fiction hybrids. His most recent solo feature,”Viet and Nam” (2024),garnered significant attention,earning a coveted selection for the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival. The film’s success continued with screenings at major international festivals such as Toronto, the New York Film Festival, and BFI London, where it collected multiple accolades, including the CineRebels Award at Filmfest München.
Nicolas Graux: Immersive Storytelling from Belgium
Nicolas Graux,who hails from Belgium’s former coal-mining region,made a powerful feature debut with “Century of Smoke” (2019). This film premiered at Visions du Réel and garnered several international awards, establishing Graux as a distinctive voice in cinema. His work is characterized by a compelling blend of documentary and fiction, delving into sociopolitical realities through what he describes as “immersive research and a poetic, sensitive gaze.”
“Hair, Paper, Water…”: A Testament to International collaboration
“Hair, Paper, Water…” is a testament to robust international co-production,with primary production handled by Julie FRERES AT DIGES (BELGIUM) and PETIT CHAOS (France).The film further benefits from co-production support from WIP (Belgium) and LAGI FILMS (Vietnam).
The creation of this aspiring project was made possible through the generous support of a range of esteemed institutions, including the Center for Cinema and Audiovisual of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Ciclic Région Center-Val de Loire, Image/Movement of the National Center for Plastic Arts, Procirep, Angoa, Media, Wallonia, Pictanovo, and Brouillon of a SCAM dream.
The technical prowess behind “Hair, Paper, Water…” is equally remarkable. Nicolas Graux himself served as the cinematographer, lending his unique visual style to the film. The sound design was expertly crafted by Ernst Karel and trương Minh Quý, while Lionel Kopp handled the crucial color grading, ensuring a cohesive and impactful visual experience.
The Locarno Film Festival is scheduled to run from August 6th to 16th, promising a vibrant showcase of global cinematic talent.