Zurich Film Festival galas include 'High-Rise', 'The Program'

The Zurich Film Festival (Sept 24-Oct 4) has announced the first six titles set to play at its 11th edition.

The galas include the highly-anticipated High-Rise, Ben Wheatley’s adaptation of JG Ballard’s 1975 novel that stars Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans and Elisabeth Moss.

The film, which is rumoured to be headed for a world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, is a dystopic depiction of a society that starts a class war in a high-rise apartment.

With its position in the festival calendar, Zurich typically secures a strong line-up of films fresh from Toronto and Venice, while also including the best of Cannes, Berlin and Sundance as well as several world premieres.

Lance Armstrong biopic The Program, directed by Stephen Frears, will first bow at Toronto and stars Ben Foster, Chris O’Dowd and Dustin Hoffman.

Noah Baumbach comedy Mistress America, about a solitary New York student (Lola Kirke) whose life is turned upside down by the arrival of her impetuous future stepsister (Greta Gerwig), generated critical acclaim out of Sundance earlier this year.

Romantic drama Mon Roi, directed by Maïwenn, was up for the Palme d’Or at Cannes, where Emmanuelle Bercot tied with Rooney Mara (Carol) for the Best Actress award.

Zurich’s first wave of titles is rounded out by Kill Your Friends, directed by Owen Harris and starring Nicholas Hoult as a music manager who goes to extremes to find the next big hit.