French theatrical distributor Urban Distribution has acquired the rights for the feature Swiss doc Kombinat, which premiered at Visions du Reel 2020 and since shown in numerous festivals, winning Jury Prizes at the 2021 Green Image Japan Film Festival and the Provinziale Festival in Germany. World sales are handled by Czech sales agent Filmotor.
Kombinat (BDE review) depicts life in Magnitogorsk where the biggest iron & steel factory in Russia is to be found. The film is directed by Gabriel Tejedor, the Swiss director who often films in post-Soviet countries.
“In Kombinat, I want to examine once again the human capacity to endure hardship: adapting to a hostile environment (pollution, noise, competitiveness, extremely limited professional options…), to intractable political power, arbitrary rules (cronyism is rife in Russia)… All of this taking place in a country that is retreating into itself at breakneck speed. I also want to highlight the solutions and the escape strategies that allow people to go on living despite adversity. “
Sandrine Floch, head of distribution at Urban comments: “Visually arresting and ethically flawless, Kombinat is a masterpiece, beautiful, which is necessary to be seen now and in times to come. With the incredible cleverness of the Flemish masters of painting of the 16th century for frame and details, the Swiss filmmaker Gabriel Tejedor describes the struggle of workers and their families to build happy lives in an industrial nightmare in the middle of the Urals. As the theatrical distributor we have been impressed by his talent and empathy for this forgotten mankind. We are very proud to release this movie, and make it a proposition for the French audience.”
Kombinat (trailer) is produced by Xavier Derigo – IDIP films in co-production with RTS. A 52-minute TV cut is currently in prep.
Founded by Michaela Čajková in October 2017, Filmotor’s catalogue includes, amongst others, Smaher AlQadi ́s As I Want (Berlinale Encounters 2021) and the Flemish Victoria by Sofie Benoot, Liesbeth De Ceulaer, Isabelle Tollenaere (Berlinale 2020).
