I’m sticking with short films for the next review from this year’s Locarno Film Festival. From the “Pardi di Domani – Concorso Nazionale” section comes Zrugg.
Title: Zrugg
Director: Lars Mulle
Released: August 14, 2026 (Switzerland – Locarno Film Festival)
Runtime: 13 minutes
A local farmer’s livestock has come under attack. Both wildlife officers and DNA evidence show that a wolf is responsible, more specifically it’s the lone male known as M195. Based on the evidence, the environmental department approves the killing of M195.
Two wildlife officers, one male (Aurelio Ghirardelli) and one female (Jasmine Imboden), set off into the woods. They use trail cameras and drones to track the problematic M195. Throughout it all, the male officer seems much more interested in his phone. He’s continuing to send messages to a number despite his previous ones going unanswered.
Within the first minute we get the idea that Zrugg is about more than just a literal wolf.
The way that this is shot helps set an uneasy mood. When you think of a Swiss countryside, you think luscious green hills. But when you add overcast and foggy skies, things take on a more eerie feel.
Our male wildlife officer is completely disengaged, focused more on getting a response from someone who clearly has no desire to be in contact with him. We see the messages that he is sending and watch as he anxiously checks his phone, waiting for a reply that never comes. As he continues to send unanswered messages, the vibe starts to shift. We then begin to wonder if the wildlife officer is any different than the lone male wolf he’s tasked with hunting.
There isn’t a lot of dialogue or backstory given in Zrugg and you’re left to draw your own conclusions. A film that refuses to spoon-feed its audience and insists they think for themselves is always something to appreciate.