Sister (2012)

Directed by: Ursula Meier
Country: Switzerland / France

Review: After "Home" (2008), “Sister” is another impressive movie directed by the Swiss-French Ursula Meier, revealing a well-designed story and compelling performances. Set in the Swiss Alps, it unveils the sad reality of a kid who sells stolen skis to make some money. That money often goes to his careless older sister with whom he has a relationship that will make you confused at first. In fact, the reality is very different from what we were imagining, with surprises popping up slowly but in perfect time to make it work throughout the steady rhythm of the story. “Sister” sticks in your head and will make you ruminate about rejection, exploitation and unwanted burdens in similar relationships. The final scene shows how much these two people are apart from each other. “Sister” hits the target, confirming Ursula Meier as a creative writer and influential contemporary filmmaker.

Relevant awards: Berlin; Athens.

The Foster Boy (2011)

Directed by: Markus Imboden
Country: Switzerland

Plot: Until after WWII, approximately 100,000 children were placed as cheap labor to work on Swiss farms.

Review: Nicely photographed, “The Foster Boy” will make the Swiss movie industry proud. A family, living in a mountain farm, shelters kids from poor families in change of help and some monthly amount of money. The movie concentrates in very different types of abusing endured by these kids, who had lost everything in their lives. The exception is Max and his passion for playing accordion, which will give him strength to go on dreaming with a better life. This is the kind of movie that you can’t help being involved with and be indignant. Every single performance was crucial to attain a honorable result. Not to be missed.

Relevant awards: Best actor (Swiss film prize).

Home (2008)

Realizado por: Ursula Meier
País: Suíça

Uma família vive numa casa isolada, perto de um troço de auto-estrada desactivado há muitos anos. Quando este troço finalmente é aberto, toda a família vai ficar perturbada, tendo de lidar com o barulho dos automóveis que passam, com o perigo de atravessamento (única possibilidade de saída da casa) e com a falta de privacidade no seu pátio. Sofrendo de frequentes insónias e alterados emocionalmente, optam por tapar todas as janelas com blocos, ao ponto de quase sufocar. A actriz Isabelle Huppert, para não variar, tem um magnífico desempenho. Uma agradável surpresa!