Phantoms of July

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Phantoms of July
German Sehnsucht in Sangerhausen
LiterallyLonging in Sangerhausen
Directed byJulian Radlmaier
Screenplay by Julian Radlmaier  [ de ]
Produced byKirill Krasovski
Starring
CinematographyFaraz Fesharaki
Edited byJulian Radlmaier
Production
company
Blue Monticola Film
Distributed byGrandfilm
Release dates
  • 7 August 2025 (2025-08-07)(Locarno)
  • 27 November 2025 (2025-11-27)(Germany)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryGermany
Languages
  • German
  • Iranian

Phantoms of July (German : Sehnsucht in Sangerhausen) is a 2025 German comedy drama film written and directed by Julian Radlmaier. The film is a romantic adventure that explores an unexpected friendship and a deep yearning for a different life. [1]

Contents

The film had its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 7 August 2025, in the Main Competition section, where it competed for Golden Leopard. [2]

Cast

Production

Julian Radlmaier, director of the film Julian Radlmaier at the 78th Locarno film festival.jpg
Julian Radlmaier, director of the film

Principal photography began on 29 July 2024 in the regions of Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia in Germany. The filming ended on 12 September 2024. [3]

Release

Phantoms of July had its World Premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 7 August 2025, and competed for Golden Leopard. [4] [5] It was also showcased at the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival in 'Kinoscope' section in August. [6] It will also be presented in the World Cinema section at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in September 2025. [7]

The film will be released on 27 November 2025 in the German cinemas. [8]

Reception

In his review at Locarno, Joseph Jenner of the International Cinephile Society rated the film with 4 stars out of five and praised the director Julian Radlmaier and called him "the heir apparent to the likes of Peter Greenaway." Jenner opined that the film stands out as a thoughtful and imaginative cultural critique, envisioning an ideal world where harmony prevails. He further described the film as vibrant, distinctive, and thoroughly engaging. Concluding review Jenner wrote that Phantoms of July is one of the year’s most captivating works, demanding careful "attention and patience," yet "where the reward is worth absolutely every minute of our time." [9]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipientResultRef.
Locarno Film Festival 16 August 2025 Golden Leopard Phantoms of JulyNominated [10]

References

  1. ↑ "Phantoms of July". Locarno Film Festival . 8 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  2. ↑ Mona Tabbara (8 July 2025). "Locarno unveils 2025 line-up including premieres of Radu Jude's 'Dracula', Kamal Aljafari's 'With Hasan In Gaza'". ScreenDaily . Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  3. ↑ "Phantoms of July: Feature Film, 2024-2025". Crew United. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  4. ↑ Szalai, Georg (8 July 2025). "'Dracula' by Radu Jude, David Lynch-Exec Produced 'Happy Worker' Set for Locarno Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  5. ↑ Del Don, Giorgia (9 July 2025). "Locarno announces the selection of its highly anticipated competition". Cineuropa . Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  6. ↑ "Introducing the Kinoscope Program of the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival". Sarajevo Film Festival . 13 August 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  7. ↑ "Selection List: World Cinema". BIFF. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  8. ↑ "Sehnsucht in Sangerhausen" [Phantoms of July]. Filmstarts. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  9. ↑ Matthew Joseph Jenner (7 August 2025). "Locarno 2025 review: Phantoms of July (Julian Radlmaier)". International Cinephile Society . Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  10. ↑ Marta Balaga (8 July 2025). "Radu Jude, Abdellatif Kechiche Head to Locarno as Swiss Fest Announces Lineup, An 'Ambitious and Exciting Edition'". Variety . Retrieved 9 July 2025.
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