A Remote Landscape of the Present and an AI Nightmare of the Future – That’s Proxima Today

The penultimate pair of Proxima Competition films will, as tradition dictates, have their world premieres at the Karlovy Vary Theatre. Thus Spoke the Wind (4:00 p.m.) explores the pain of adolescence through the eyes of a child, while Future Future (7:00 p.m.) depicts a bleak, surreal dystopia.

Director Maria Rigel moved to Armenia in 2022, where she now works with a film production company. Captivated by the country, she chose it as the setting for Thus Spoke the Wind. For her, the Armenian landscape and its people reflect a unique intersection of present and past – two temporal realities locked in constant tension, yet marked by a paradoxical mutual reverence. Set in a remote village where a rigid patriarchal order is disrupted by the return of his mysterious mother, the story follows young Hayk, a child caught between tradition and youthful rebellion. The ever-present wind becomes a central motif in this lyrical and symbolically rich narrative. Rigel’s directing style blends near-documentary realism and the use of non-actors with poetic, image-driven sequences that are deeply rooted in the textured landscape. The film’s immersive sound design further enhances the child’s perspective, introducing touches of magical realism that elevate the emotional tone.

In contrast, Davi Pretto presents the audacious and visually explosive Future Future. The film plays with temporal dislocation, following a disoriented quadragenarian who has lost both his identity and memory. Following the main character, the viewer is (not) guided through a saturated, colour-drenched nightmare from which there’s no escape. This dystopian odyssey from the near future blends tragedy and absurdity, using phantasmagorical imagery to reflect on social inequality, environmental issues, and a world seduced by artificial intelligence. The film even incorporates material generated by AI in imaginative ways. Future Future confirms Pretto’s place among directors known for stylistically provocative, socially engaged cinema. Building on fragments of genre conventions, his work – previously showcased at Berlinale and Sitges – pushes formal boundaries. Future Future marks his fourth feature film.