Swiss Short Films and Cartoon

The House of Switzerland will devote three evenings to Swiss film-makers. All visitors are warmly welcomed to the open-air screenings on the Cathedral Square. Immerse yourself in the multifaceted Swiss film scene with a selection of Swiss short films and cartoons. Each Monday on 23 July, 30 July and 6 August between 4pm and 8pm, the films will be shown for your entertainment.

Chasse à l‘âne
by Maria Nicollier (15’, Fiction, Japanese with English subtitles)

Three Japanese are tasting donkey meat at Sakado's butcher shop. Amazed by the taste of this exotic dish, they decide to buy a donkey, Igor, in order to eat it. While they stroll along the market alleys of Komoro, decorated with tinsel, candles and other knick-knacks for the Christmas holidays, the three men are delighted with their gastronomic project. But when they see a Nativity scene in a shop window they are suddenly assailed by doubt: is the donkey alongside the baby Jesus holy as well for Christians? Slaughtering and devouring Igor turns out to be more difficult than expected.

Gypaetus Helveticus
by Marcel Barelli (7‘, Animation, French with English subtitles)

This animated documentary film tells in a satirical manner how the bearded vulture became extinct in the Swiss Alps because it was erroneously considered to be dangerous. Above all, however, the film teaches us a great deal about a distinct image of foreigners portrayed in Swiss politics.

Baggern
by Corina Schwingruber (12‘, Documentary, dialect with English subtitles)

“For this job you need to have diesel fuel or hydraulic oil in your blood, otherwise you can’t do it!” Dust in their eyes, noise in their ears and passion in the heart! That’s the job of a digger driver working in the demolition business. How diggers become ballerinas and why after all size still matters.

Lauberhornrennen im Sommer
by Daniel Zimmermann (5‘, Fiction, German with English subtitles)

The Lauberhorn ski race, the world’s longest downhill ski race, has been postponed until summer. The 10,000 wooden slats give their account of the perfect line which is highly sought after but never achieved in winter. They become the ski racers, and the newscaster is live on the scene to accompany the viewers as they travel at breakneck speed to set a new record.

Le Miroir
by Ramon & Pedro (6‘, Fiction, Silent  film)

A man's life, from early childhood to old age, in the time it takes to freshen up.

Land Of The Heads
by Claude Barras und Cédric Louis (6’, Animation, English)

A vampire is forced to go out every night to decapitate from their heads. The reason? His vain wife wants to replace her wrinkled head with one that is young and pretty. How awful! Especially since the lady of the house is never satisfied and the heads keep piling up on the floor. How will our reluctant vampire ever stop this vicious cycle?

Bon Voyage
by Fabio Friedli (6‘, Animation, Silent film)

Dozens of emigrants climb on to an overcrowded truck. Their goal: fortress Europe. When they arrive there after an exhausting journey, the confrontation with another brutal reality awaits them: the European handling of refugees.