San Sebastian’s works-in-progress return with eight anticipated projects split across WIP Europe and WIP La tam. Both showcases run Sept. 22 24. A closer look at the titles: 

WIP Latam

We Were No Longer Five (A la hora de poner la mesa ya no éramos cinco), dir. Esteban Hoyos García, Juan Miguel Gelacio Ramírez - Colombia, U.S (Selva Producciones, Chicamocha Films, Andante Producciones, Redline Enterprises)

The Colombian directing duo is back to San Sebastián’s WIP Latam two years after their debut Selva/Jungla. Their sophomore feature is about a mother who has lost track of her son in armed conflict. Losing hope with institutions, she turns to a group of women who tell her about a mysterious village where you can ask a dead person for a favor. Stars Birds of Passage actor Carmiña Martínez.

Sad Girls (Chicas Tristes), dir. Fernanda Tovar - Mexico, Spain, France (Colectivo Colmena, Martinishot Films, Potenza Producciones, Promenades Films)

Tovar’s short film Mi edad, la tuya y la edad del mundo screened at Cannes’ Critics’ Week in 2022 and received a special mention at Morelia. Her feature debut, Sad Girls analyzes the changing relationship between the two best swimmers in their team and their friends after an incident at a party.

The Neverending Plague (La plaga sin fin), dir. Joaquín Cociña Varas, Cristóbal León Dooner - Chile, The Netherlands, Uruguay, Germany, France (León & Cociña Films, Globo Rojo Films, Vikings Films, Montelona, Autentika Films, Premium Films)

León & Cociña previously won best short film at Venice Horizons for Los Huesos and Berlin’s Caligari Award for their debut The Wolf House. Their sophomore effort follows Princess Diana who falls in love with young nomad Lalo against her father’s wishes. Stars Antonia Giesen (La Jauria) and Andrew Bargsted (My Brothers Dream Awake).

 Flies (Moscas), dir. Fernando Eimbcke - Mexico (Kinotitlán, Teorema)

The next film by renowned Eimbcke (Olmo, Duck Season) is produced by Michel Franco’s Teorema and stars Totem breakout Teresita Sánchez. She plays Olga, whose dire financial situation sees her subletting a room in her f lat to Tulio, whose wife is hospitalized across the road. When Tulio goes away for a few days, leaving his 9-year-old son in his place, Olga must face her biggest fear: emotional connection.

WIP Europe

Lovers Sleep Alone (Working title), dir. Massih Parsaei - Germany (Filmfive, Filmuniversität Babels berg Konrad Wolf)

Tehran-born Parsaei has directed a series of shorts over the last decade, including Vertraut (2016), Ölelések (2018), and Über Anna (2018). Lovers Sleep Alone is his feature debut, which he is also writing and editing. It follows Iman, a young man living in exile in Berlin after leaving Iran and cutting ties with his family. A lonely drifter, Iman’s only relationship is a sexual affair with André. A surprise visit from his cousin brings back suppressed memories of a long-gone past.

February, Seven Days (Sieben tage februar), dir. Tatjana Moutchnik - Germany, Austria (Wood Water Films, Wega Film)

The feature debut of German-Ukrainian director Tatjana Moutchnik (A Veteran’s Destiny, Bear Hill Path) takes place in Germany in 2022, where two Ukrainian brothers reunite after years apart to mourn their recently deceased mother. While the family debates on what is the most culturally appropriate mourning ritual, Russia begins its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, turning their lives upside down. Veteran Austrian producer Veit Heiduschka (Amour) is one of the film’s producers under his Wega Film banner.

Somewhere Between Sleep, dir. Jonas Bak - France, Germany (Tran ce Films).

Bak’s 2021 feature debut Wood and Water got a special mention from the Compass Perspektive Award in Berlin and went on to play New York, London and Uruguay, where it won the Best Film Award in New Directors. His sophomore feature reunites him mother Anke Bak, who starred in his first outing. In Somewhere Between Sleep, Anke meets Lisa by chance on a cold day as they both consider leaving their small Black Forest town.

Veha, dir. Elif Sözen - Turkey, France, Saudi Arabia (Kalavara Film, Les Films D’Ici, Red Sea Fund).

Featuring The Unfaithful star Olcay Yusufoglu, Sözen’s (Celebration, One) debut finds Meral and her young son returning to their small Turkish village after the passing of her mother. When Meral disappears, it is up to her old friend Nilay to not only understand why her friend mysteriously left but also to care for her son. Şebnem Sönmez (7 Numara) is also part of the cast.  

Rafa Salles Ross