*** Films In Zurich ***
This is a random selection of films which have caught our eye. Some are in German (usually with subtitles!) and the majority are in English.
If you want to know the best places to see your films in Zurich, please go to our CINEMA Page.
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No Time To Die
The next James Bond Movie “No Time To Die” will be in cinemas in Zurich from April 2020. See the trailer here:
Bohemian Rhapsody
Rocketman
All about Elton John’s life.
A Star Is Born
The Biggest Little Farm
You can read our review of The Biggest Little Farm by clicking here.
First Man
Mary Poppins Returns
Wolkenbruch
Green Book
Lady Bird
Paddington 2
The adorable muncher of marmalade sandwiches embarks on a new adventure. A great cast including a very amusing Hugh Grant. A feel good movie with our favourite Peruvian bear. What’s not to love?
All I See Is You
How a young woman’s life and marriage changes dramatically once her eyesight is restored.
Murder on the Orient Express
A new version of the classic film, reworked by Kenneth Branagh who not only is the director but also plays Poirot. It’s a good watch with an interesting ending although that moustache just doesn’t look right!
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Kingsman is the sequel to Matthew Vaughn’s hit 2015 spy movie with Taron Egerton and Colin Firth. Julianne Moore, Channing Tatum, Halle Berry and Jeff Bridges are added to the cast this time and although the plot is rather far fetched and there seems to be a lot of action for the sake of action, the TAG Heuer watches are worth checking out.
Atomic Blonde
Action thriller spy story set in Berlin with Charlize Theron in the lead role. Opened in Zurich 24th August 2017.
Almost There
The story of three men Bob an American, Steve a British Dragqueen and comedian, and Japanese Yamada. They are all in the latter part of their lives as they examine their life so far and contemplate the journey ahead. «Almost There» by Jacqueline Zünd is a Swiss film about time, dignity and transience.The premiere in Zurich takes place on 7th August at the Houdinin Cinema.
Das Tagebuch der Anne Frank
This German language film about Anne Frank and her famous diary opens in Zurich on 3rd March 2016. Take a look at the trailer and see what you think:
Eddie The Eagle
(opens in Zurich 31st March 2016)
by Dexter Fletcher
Feel-good film based on the true story of Eddie “Eddie” Edwards (Taron Egerton) the Eagle, the unlikely British ski jumper. His charismatic coach is played by Hugh Jackman and together they take on the establishment and win the hearts and minds of sports fans around the world, even competing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.
Cast: Taron Egerton, Christopher Walken, and Hugh Jackman
Bridge of Spies
A thriller about a Brooklyn lawyer who gets thrown into the centre of the Cold War when sent by the CIA to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot. A dramatic story inspired by true events and with a very personal touch.
The Revenant
by Alejandro G. Iñárritu
THE REVENANT is a story inspired by true events. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio and describes his battle for survival and his epic adventures as an explorer in the unchartered American wilderness.
Joy
by David O. Russell
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, JOY is the story of a girl who grows up in a dysfunctional family struggling with the day to day problems of simply keeping food on the table and a roof over her head. Despite some horrendous trials and spates of adversity she founds a business dynasty and finally succeeds. The film has a great cast with Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Edgar Ramirez, Isabella Rossellini, Diane Ladd, Virginia Madsen, Elisabeth Röhm and Dascha Polanco. A very touching human story.
Spectre
by Sam Mendes
For all James Bond fans Daniel Craig sets out on another mission as 007 on a trail to uncover a sinister organisation called SPECTRE. The film will premiere in Zurich on 27th October 2015 and will be on general release in Zurich from 5th November 2015.
The Man Who Knew Infinity
by Matthew Brown
The Man Who Knew Infinity had the honour of being the opening film at Zurich Film Festival but will not be on general release in Zurich until 17th March 2016. With a star studded cast including Stephen Fry, Jeremy Irons and Dev Patel this is definitely a film to watch out for. Adapted from Robert Kanigel’s novel “The Man Who Knew Infinity: A Life of the Genius Ramanujan” it’s about a self-taught mathematical genius who leaves India for Cambridge to become a pioneer in mathematical theories.
Mediterranea
by Jonas Carpignano
A very current theme is dealt with in this film about a young man who leaves his native Burkina Faso in search of a better life. After making the perilous journey to Italy instead of sanctuary he finds intolerance and prejudice. This film was shown at Zurich Film Festival and will be on general release in Zurich from 5th November 2015.
Crimson Peak
by Guillermo del Toro
If you’re not scared by ghosts this film you may well enjoy this gothic romance film directed by Guillermo del Toro and written Matthew Robbins. The film stars Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Charlie Hunnam and Jim Beaver.
Woman In Gold
Engaging and moving film starring Helen Mirren as an elderly Jewish woman, Maria Altmann and her family’s story as they fled Vienna during World War II. The Nazis stole her family’s possessions including Klimt’s painting ‘The Lady in Gold’ and the film tells the story of her struggle to re-establish her rightful ownership.
Official trailer:
STREIF – One Hell of a Ride
(Mainly in German – some English)
An action-packed film showing the true life account of skiing in one of the most difficult and unforgiving ski races in the world in Kitzbühel in Austria. STREIF – One Hell of A Ride is a documentary film giving behind the scenes insights into the training programmes of the various athletes, their hopes, their fears as well as sharing with you the excitement and the exhilaration of the high speed race itself. It follows five ski athletes from their Summer training programme to the Hahnenkamm race with the most dangerous downhill slope in the world.
The adrenalin is pumping as you see the skiers standing on the precipice at the starting block moments before the race begins and you share their disappointments and disasters as it becomes clear how a few seconds on this piste can completely change a life or end a career.
Plenty of ski racing footage dating back over the years as well as interviews with five times champion Didier Couche make this an interesting film for all lovers of sport, skiing and mountains. It’s mainly in German but with a fair amount of English spoken – though much of the excitement is purely visual and captured in the filming. Knowledge of German helps but you can still enjoy the film without understaning the language.
The Premiere of the film was on 2nd March in the presence of Didier Couche and director Gerald Salmina Didier Cuche and other ski celebrities. The film is on general release in Switzerland from 5th March.
Official Trailer:
The Imitation Game
The Imitation Game is a British thriller and an historical film and was directed by Morten Tyldumwith a screenplay by Graham Moore. Based on the biography “Alan Turing: The Enigma” by Andrew Hodges it stars Benedict Cumberbatch who plays the British cryptanalyst Alan Turing, who was was the key person in helping solve the Enigma code during the Second World War and who was later prosecuted for homosexuality.
The film has been an outstanding commercial success. It was nominated in eight categories at the 87th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director – Mortne Tyldum, Best Actor – Benedict Cumberbatch, and Best Supporting Actress – Keira Knightley. It won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay as well as five nominations at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards. It also received nine British Academy of Film and Television Arts nominations, including Best Film and Outstanding British Film.
Here is the Official Trailer:
http://youtu.be/S5CjKEFb-sM
Unbroken
This is a story of perseverance and bravery and a man’s will that refused to be broken. It is based on Lauren Hillenbrand’s biography of American Louis Zamperini “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption”. It charters the tale of USA Olympian athlete Louis “Louie” Zamperini, played by Jack O’Connell, who survived in a raft for 47 days after his World War II bomber came down. It follows his often harrowing treatment in a series of Japanese prisoner of war camps in the most difficult of circumstances.
It’s tough in places and not a light film by any means (and slightly over-long), but the story of the delinquent schoolboy turned Olympian athlete, turned survivor of 47 days in a raft in the ocean followed by harsh treatment as a prisoner of war, shows how powerful the human spirit can be. Unbroken is directed by Angelina Jolie. Louie Zamperini died in July 2014 before the film premiered in the US in December 2014.
Official Trailer:
The Theory of Everything
release date in Zurich 17th November 2014
Based on his wife Jane’s memoir “Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen”, the film is directed by Academy Award winner James Marsh (“Man on Wire”) and stars Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones. Stephen shows amazing courage and determination on learning the news aged 21 that he has motor neurone disease and just 2 years to live. An uplifting story showing what can be achieved despite all odds and how really precious the commodity of time.
Freifall eine Liebesgeschichte
Freefalling a Love Story September 2014
This moving and very personal story by director Miriam von Arx is a true story of love and life. She meets Herbert via internet dating and shortly after is diagnosed with cancer. The cancer doesn’t pose a threat to their plans of a future together but Herbert’s hobby BASE jumping has tragic consequences. He falls to his death in Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland leaving Miriam distraught, questioning why Herbert should be so blasé with his life as she fights for her own. The film is a her quest to find out more about the psyche of BASE jumping and to make sense of this tragic event. A powerful and emotional film. Take your hankies.
We met up with Miriam von Arx both before and after the film and she impressed us with her positivity and bravery. A very beautiful woman, she is extremely open in the film. Meeting her afterwards, she explained how her life had progressed and now with a new partner had moved forward with her life and they had a son together. Turning up to the premiere at the Zurich Film Festival she was heavily pregnant with her second child and had invited her gynaecologist to the screening as she was so close to the due date! A remarkable woman and a moving film.
Labyrinth of Lies
September 2014 in Zurich (English subtitles)
We saw this film at the Zurich Film Festival 2014 and enjoyed it so much felt compelled to go and see it a second time. Amazingly, this impressive film is Giulio Ricciarelli’s first feature film. It stars German actor, Alexander Fehling (Inglourious Basterds and Young Goethe in Love) in the lead role as Johann Radmann. Alexander Fehling with his Ayrean good looks, works as a prosecutor at a large law firm and after a tip off by a journalist works unstintingly to uncover the truth about key government institutions and personnel who are trying to cover up crimes committed by Nazis during World War Two. An interesting look at post war Germany and the questions you may not have thought to raise.
Alexander Fehling
We met up with Alexander Fehling and Giulio Ricciarelli at Zurich Film Festival. In fact Alexander was a true gentleman and extremely helpful and managed to get our new camera’s flash working for us so that we could take the photo!
We met Giulio the day after the film was first shown in Zurich and he was gracious and modest as we told him how much we had enjoyed the film. He was also very interested in the appeal of the film to a wider, international audience. We will keep our eyes open for more films by Giulio Ricciarelli.
Neuland
Swiss Film 2013 (in German)
We saw this film at the 2013 Zurich Film Festival and were lucky enough to meet with Christian Zingg the patient, caring, self-effacing teacher who plays himself in this real-life film. Based in Basel and teaching asylum seekers and refugees, each with their own history and emotional baggage, Christian aimed to help one reach their potential. He saw each student as an individual and went to great lengths to understand the issues each was facing and to help them as best he could.
Christian Zingg at the Zurich Film Festival 2013 Photo © NewInZurich
An uplifting film full of inspiration but with dark edges as the private battles of each story unfolds. Christian Zingg is truly a remarkable man and director Anna Thommen captures the stories in a delightful way. Here is a trailer for the film:
What are your favourite films that you’ve seen in Zurich?
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