U.K. Films at Locarno’s First Look Take on Toxic Romances, a London Barbershop, the Turbulent Life of ‘Get Carter’ Helmer Mike Hodges

Six U.K. works-in-progress have been selected for the 12th edition of Locarno’s First Look, an international launchpad for films in post-production taking place during Locarno Pro Days.

Since its introduction in 2012, First Look has already focused on Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Israel, Poland, the Baltic Countries, Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland and Germany

This year, the late Mike Hodges – known for “Get Carter” or “Flash Gordon” – will be celebrated in “All at Sea,” produced by Hurricane Films, a semi-autobiographical documentary depicting his life. The film was directed, written and narrated by Hodges himself…

…Director Joseph A. Adesunloye – also producing for DreamCoat Films – will take on other lovers at crossroads in “Vanilla,” where an interracial gay couple is trying to celebrate their anniversary while also dealing with past infidelity.

“It’s searingly honest and sometimes uncomfortable, but a truthful portrait of a relationship in crisis,” he said. Admitting that in the film, years of emotional baggage will finally unload during a “sultry” week in Barcelona.

“Bastien and Matt are flawed in different ways, and perhaps should have left each other long ago. They show the lengths of cruelty that people in love can be brought to.

READ MORE: Variety