Discover the Hidden Stories of Identity in Switzerland’s Thriving Documentary Scene!

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This year, Visions du Réel showcases an impressive 31 Swiss documentaries in its main lineup, demonstrating that the country is brimming with documentary talent. A further testament to this fact is the annual Swiss Films Previews, a series of events organized by Swiss Films, the national film agency, aiming to foster partnerships between local producers, programmers, sales agents, financiers, and other potential supporters.

This year’s collection of six projects encompass a wide range of topics, but a common thread is the exploration of identity in a world that sees more displacement each day. Dea Gjinovci’s “The Beauty of the Donkey” follows a filmmaker and her father, who have lived in exile for over six decades, as they revisit Kosovo. Anne-Frédérique Widmann’s “Shewit” documents the life of a refugee named Shewit from the time she first sought refuge in Geneva after fleeing Eritrea, and Benjamin Bucher’s “Sweet Belonging” chronicles the journey of an African-Chinese dancer as she navigates Europe.

In other places, a French physician embarks on what he believes is his last journey to the secluded island of Tristan da Cunha, as depicted in “Tristan Forever” by Tobias Nölle and Loran Bonnardot; the book “The Huntresses,” authored by Amélie Bargetzi and Christelle Jornod, delves into the hunting methods of four women residing in Valais; while Jacqueline Zünd’s “Heat” explores how escalating temperatures impact human lifestyles.

Out of the six projects, two are feature debuts, and two are sophomore features. 

Prior to the event, Charlotte Ducos, a consultant specializing in documentaries and marketing strategies at Swiss Films, emphasized the significance of highlighting the Swiss film industry during the festival.

Swiss Films consistently communicates with Swiss film production companies, checking in regularly throughout the year. The productions chosen for the Swiss Showcases are those considered to have strong international appeal and the capacity to attract further partners, investors, and global distributors. Additionally, we aim to generate interest around these films since they are near completion and seeking festival debuts.

The goal is to uncover hidden talents, especially in the realm of first films, while also showcasing established producers willing to venture into new territories with fresh faces from a variety of backdrops. She further mentions that we aim to broaden the perspectives of industry insiders by revealing undiscovered talent and themes beyond the conventional Swiss narratives. The tales of Switzerland aren’t limited to the Alps or banking; there are countless stories waiting to be shared.

Ducos underscores the importance of presenting Swiss productions to international visitors, as this is crucial for preserving the nation’s impressive track record in co-productions. At present, nearly half (43%) of Swiss films are collaborative efforts. She further states that, given our financial resources, we should be forging more partnerships and co-production relationships with producers from various countries. This is especially important for us as a small country, since strengthening ties with our European neighbors is essential. Additionally, our four top-tier film schools and our ability to produce a large volume of content facilitate extra financing and collaboration.

Olivier Zobrist, producer of ‘Sweet Belonging’, shares that Swiss Films Previews offer the ideal opportunity to introduce their first feature project globally. Their aim is to pique the curiosity of festivals and distributors in Nyon, with whom they will later share the final edited version. They are excited to gauge the response, as it will not only attract potential partners but also aid in refining the editing process.

Palmyre Lumina, the creator of “The Beauty of the Donkey,” expresses optimism that the Preview event will lead to meaningful interactions. She refers to the market as an exceptional platform for showcasing a sneak peek into Dea’s unique blend of techniques on a deeply moving and personal odyssey.

Below, you will find brief descriptions of all six selected projects: 

Sweet Belonging, dir. Benjamin Bucher

22-year-old Joyce, a dancer with both African and Chinese heritage, navigates her journey in Europe. She grapples with the tension between pursuing personal artistic growth and maintaining financial support from her mother’s TikTok business. The film delves into the struggle of balancing self-realization and family responsibilities, illustrating Joyce’s evolution as she adapts to her mother’s contemporary enterprise. Langfilm holds worldwide distribution rights.

Tristan Forever, dir. Tobias Nölle & Loran Bonnardot

For over two decades, I’ve found solace and kinship in my annual visits to Tristan da Cunha, the world’s most remote inhabited island. This isolated paradise holds a special place in my heart, and the friends I’ve made there over the years have become like family to me. At the age of 50, I embarked on what I believed would be my final voyage to this enchanting island, hoping to sever ties and never look back. However, life isn’t always as straightforward as we’d like it to be. This film follows my quest for seclusion, painting a picture of a supposed utopia. Hugofilm Features holds the worldwide distribution rights.

The Huntresses, dir. Amélie Bargetzi & Christelle Jornod

In the heart of Valais, a canton nestled within Switzerland’s picturesque south, I find myself captivated by the extraordinary bond shared by four remarkable women and the enchanting wilderness that surrounds them. “The Huntresses” offers an intimate journey, one that takes us from their hunting expeditions to the intricate process of butchering and preserving the game, revealing the profound, sensual connection these women share with the creatures they coexist with and the environment they inhabit. Box Productions proudly holds the global rights to this compelling narrative.

Heat, dir. Jacqueline Zünd

Exploring the impact of soaring temperatures caused by global warming, Zünd’s film delves into the physical extremes heat presents for humans, particularly in the scorching Persian Gulf – one of Earth’s hottest regions. The cinematic journey offers a vivid portrayal of human resilience and adaptive strategies amidst this challenging climate. Lomotion holds the global distribution rights.

Shewit, dir. Anne-Frédérique Widmann

Title character Shewit, an Eritrean refugee, was 15 years old when she first came to Geneva by herself. Over a ten-year period, documented on film, the narrative unfolds about exile, resilience, and liberation for Shewit. The director intends to delve into themes of oppression, intricate political structures, and optimism through Shewit’s story. Intermezzo Films holds worldwide distribution rights.

The Beauty of the Donkey, dir. Dea Gjinovci

The filmmaker travels back to Makermal, Kosovo alongside her father who had spent six decades in exile. Together with the villagers who miraculously remained, they revisit the filmmaker’s father’s childhood memories. This project, a collaborative effort, brings to life the atmosphere of 1950s Kosovo and unearths some startling secrets, such as the enigma surrounding the director’s missing grandmother. Astrae Productions holds global distribution rights.

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2025-04-08 11:47