Marc Décosterd

Born in Zürich in 1977, Marc Décosterd arrives in the French-speaking part of Switzerland at the age of five. He is only 9 when he shoots his first films in 8mm, with the help of his father. Later on, he will never stop experimenting with all kinds of formats. At 20 years old, he spends a year in SPAD (professional section of dramatic arts) at Lausanne conservatory. Thereafter, he graduates of the ECAL (renowned Art School in Lausanne) where he has been studying visual arts. He is 23 years old when he writes and shoots his first full-length feature film, called "Erwan et compagnie". In 2004, he will edit the whole film again, adding a few new scenes previously unreleased. It is the story of a bunch of decadent losers, lead by the unstoppable, out of control Erwan, who decide to do a robbery to fund a movie. Murder, sex, gunshots, and a particular sense of black caustic humor will punctuate the story of this dark comedy. The main character is portrayed by Renaud Berger. It is the beginning of a steady collaboration between Renaud and Marc. "Erwan et compagnie" seduces the Swiss producer Xavier Ruiz, who decides to distribute the film on DVD as well as present it at the "Geneva fait son cinema" festival. The film being full of violence and of cutting dialogues, it will offend part of the press and public. Nonetheless, others appreciate it for its value, aware of the anger of the post 9.11 generation. They can see in the film the cruel caricature of the modern world we live in. In 2007, Marc makes his company "Wake Up ! Films" official. He will thenceforward use it to produce all his feature films (usually low or mid budgets). In 2009, Marc releases his second feature film, called "Retourne-toi". This dramatic thriller allows him to explore new directions. It is much more contemplative and melancholic than his first film, and the stakes are deeper as well. Yet both films share the director's love for biting dialogues. The film tells the story of Adrien and Barbara. The couple is going through a crisis and decides to go to a cabin in the mountain for a few days. They hope that their stay there will help them figure things out. Unfortunately for them, a group of poachers, hunting in the forest around, will disturb the couple's plans. Renaud Berger is once again one of the lead parts in the film, as well as Virginie Meisterhans, who plays Barbara. The film seduces the LUFF festival (Lausanne Undergound Film Festival), where it is shown, out of competition, in October 2009. The film will also be released on DVD. In 2012, Marc writes and directs his third feature film, a sequel to « Erwan et compagnie », called « Erwan et + si affinités». The cast is basically the same one as in the first Erwan film. As for the story, it shares the same uninhibited tone and off-the-wall humour, but the film is at the same time somewhat deeper, since Erwan's family is at stake this time, Erwan being a brand new young father. Even though they are the same bunch of desperate crazy losers, they are this time portrayed with tenderness and subtlety. The film is a big success in the French-speaking part of Switzerland and the Medias love it. It has since been released in VOD and DVD. In 2018, Marc co-writes and co-directs the medium-length film called Humanity, with the plastic artist Bernard Garo. A contemplative and poetic essay, for which Marc also writes the musical score. The film will be shown in open-air screenings, on monuments, such as Nyon's castle. Marc Décosterd writes most of his films' musical scores, usually in partnership with other artists, such as Wolf Ryser ("Erwan et compagnie") or Jérôme Giller ("Retourne-toi", "Erwan et + si affinities" and "Vasectomia"). Generally speaking, Marc Décosterd's cinema plays with the exuberance of the so called "genre films", so as to include typical Swiss elements, or even realistic elements. As said before, Marc has a love for well-written cutting dialogues, often written with caustic black desperate humour.