The Local Switzerland

Could Switzerland ever become a country with just one language?

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 14:52:10 +0100

The novel idea that Switzerland could one day have just one national language is explored in a new Swiss movie — with shocking, but very funny, consequences.

'Switzerlanders': New film sheds light on 'ordinary' Swiss people

Fri, 29 May 2020 14:05:06 +0200

A new ‘reality’ film shows footage of how ‘ordinary’ people in Switzerland spent one summer day in 2019.

'Visionary' Swiss–American photographer Robert Frank dies aged 94

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 10:05:16 +0200

Robert Frank, a trailblazing documentary photographer whose raw, piercing aesthetic placed him among the 20th century's greats, has died, according to his gallery. He was 94 years old.

Introducing Switzerland's first ‘VIP bedroom’ cinema

Fri, 10 May 2019 13:30:23 +0200

Switzerland’s first new concept ‘VIP bedroom’ cinema has opened in Cinema Pathé in Spreitenbach - but operators are not concerned that any inappropriate activity will take place during film screenings.

Six super reasons to visit Bern this weekend

Fri, 19 Oct 2018 19:02:22 +0200

Most people don't need a reason to visit Switzerland's capital. But, just in case, we've got 6 super reasons why you may want to stop by this weekend...

Zurich Film Festival enters final weekend with Johnny Depp as guest of honour

Fri, 05 Oct 2018 11:24:06 +0200

The US actor is in the city as a guest of honour during the final weekend of this year's film gala, which features more than 150 movies and half a dozen new sections and awards.

Switzerland's Locarno Festival kicks off 71st edition with an eclectic program featuring 293 films

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 13:47:00 +0200

The 71st edition of the Locarno Festival, Switzerland's major film gala, kicks off today. The Local spoke to the organisers to find out about the program's highlights and how Swiss cinema features.

Zurich Film Festival returns with focus on women in cinema

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 19:14:59 +0200

This year's edition features a total of 160 productions, including 41 debut works and 12 world premieres.

Chinese documentary wins top prize at Locarno film festival

Mon, 14 Aug 2017 10:37:26 +0200

Mrs. Fang, Chinese director Wang Bing's documentary about a family waiting to say goodbye to their elderly Alzheimer's-stricken mother, scooped the top prize at the Locarno film festival on Saturday.

Filmmakers hold open casting in Ticino

Mon, 13 Jul 2015 15:33:52 +0200

The Swiss-Canadian duo Florian Halbedl and Joshua M. Ferguson are holding an open casting for their new film project on July 17th in Locarno.

Swiss returns home to make 'gender-fluid' film

Thu, 28 May 2015 23:10:21 +0200

Swiss filmmaker Florian Halbedl is returning to Switzerland from his current home in Canada to shoot an unusual short film in the canton of Ticino with his trans-gender partner.

The Interview set for Swiss cinema release

Tue, 13 Jan 2015 21:59:00 +0100

The controversial American film The Interview, a political satire film about North Korea, is set for release in Swiss cinemas on January 28th, producer Sony Pictures has confirmed.

Police employee 'secretly filmed women in shower'

Mon, 23 Dec 2013 14:15:00 +0100

A civilian police employee in the town of Wasen, west-central Switzerland, has been accused of installing secret cameras in the changing room and showers of a gym.

Mexico, Elvis's granddaughter and Kylie feature at Locarno

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:53:48 +0200

One of a wave of Mexican films takes pride of place at the Locarno Film Festival on Thursday while Elvis Presley's granddaughter shines on the silver screen.

Polanski on child sex case: 33 years of regret

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:31:00 +0200

Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski says he has regretted having sex with a teenage girl in 1977 ever since, in his first interview since spending months in a Swiss prison over the sensational case.

Polanski picks up Zurich award 2 years after arrest

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:26:00 +0200

Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski on Tuesday picked up an award at the Zurich Film Festival which he was unable to receive two years ago due to his dramatic arrest over a decades-old child sex case.

Two years after arrest, Polanski to attend Zurich film fest

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:55:00 +0200

Two years after his arrest in Zurich, director Roman Polanski will reattempt to attend the city's film festival to pick up the award that was intended for him in 2009, organisers of the event said on Thursday.

Locarno honours Swiss director

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:22:00 +0200

Bruno Ganz, considered as one of Switzerland's greatest actors, was honoured by the Locarno festival on Thursday before the screening of his latest film.

Swiss court rejects Delon's fake licence plate appeal

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:23:00 +0200

Switzerland's top court confirmed Friday that it has thrown out an appeal by French veteran film star Alain Delon against a fine imposed on him for using a fake licence plate.

Actor Delon's son indicted after girl shot

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 11:42:00 +0200

The son of French veteran actor Alain Delon has been indicted by a Swiss court after a teenage girl was shot at the actor's apartment, Delon's lawyer said Tuesday.