From July 10 to 14, the 7th Swiss Film Week will take place in Kyiv at the "Zhovten" cinema. The event is organized by the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine together with the film company "Arthouse Traffic," according to the event’s press service.
The film festival program features a wide variety of genres: a sci-fi thriller; a sports drama; an animated surreal odyssey; a court case from the early 20th century that became a symbol of the broader fight for gender equality; a documentary about Céline Dion; and a tragicomedy about labor migrants.
Films are shown in their original language with Ukrainian subtitles.
Full festival programme
This year, the Swiss Film Week will screen the following films:
"Bisons" (dir. Pierre Monnard)
The festival opens with a sports drama about the Swiss wrestling champion faced with a difficult choice: his brother convinces him to take part in underground fights to save their family farm. In trying to preserve his home, the young man dives into a world of harsh rules where the cost of victory might be too high.
"Wanda, mein Wunder (My Wonderful Wanda)" (dir. Bettina Oberli)
Set at a villa by a picturesque Swiss lake, this story follows 35-year-old Wanda who cares for a family to earn money for her own family left behind in Poland. A closeness develops between Wanda and the family’s younger son, leading to a surprise: the woman finds out she is pregnant.
"Electric Child" (dir. Simon Jaquemet)
At the center of this sci-fi thriller is a computer scientist who, seeking to save his son suffering from a rare brain disease, makes a risky deal: he promises freedom to an artificial intelligence created within the simulation of his supercomputer in exchange for life-saving medicine.
“Given Switzerland’s strong support for Ukraine’s digitalization process, this year’s Swiss Film Week focuses on innovation and its impact on shaping and developing the modern world. On this occasion, Arthouse Traffic is organizing a lecture alongside the screening of ‘Electric Child’ featuring Maksym Ilyukhin — co-head of Ukraine’s state app ‘Mriya’ — for students, parents, and teachers,” the press release states.
"Frida's Case" (dir. Maria Brendle)
This film centers on the case of young seamstress Frida Keller, who stands trial in early 20th-century Swiss court for the murder of her five-year-old son. Her high-profile case shocks society and raises the uncomfortable question: can a criminal also be a victim? The film is based on true events.
"La note parfaite, l'aventure suisse de Céline Dion" (dirs. Vincent Gonnon, Noël Tortajada)
In 1988, Céline Dion — then a young, little-known singer from Quebec — unexpectedly represents Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest. Her victory seems accidental, but behind it is a carefully planned step that opens a new chapter in her career. “This documentary portrait reveals the story of Céline’s stellar rise: from a shy girl with an unconventional appearance to one of the world’s most famous singers,” the annotation says.
"Reise der Schatten (Journey of Shadows)" (dir. Yves Netzhammer)
A philosophical 3D animation about the nature of humanity in the age of technology: in a dystopian universe, the main character gradually discovers their true essence.
A special screening will be accompanied by a lecture on contemporary Swiss art and video art.
