La forteresse

The Fortress
Die Festung
La fortezza

Switzerland / France, August 2008
FILM, Documentary, 104 min.

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directed by
Fernand Melgar
Written by
Fernand Melgar
Status
In distribution

Switzerland has just passed the most restrictive asylum law in all of Europe. This documentary film respectfully directs our attention to a reception centre for asylum-seekers. At this austere transit facility, 200 men, women and children wait after a journey – sometimes taken at the risk of their lives – until the government decides their fate. At close range the film shows the daily sorting process and, with emotion and humour, gives us an unorthodox look at the critical issues that face Europe today regarding the flux of migration and selective immigration as a curtailment measure.

credits

World Premiere
August 2008
Original Version
French (english/german subtitles),  colour, 35mm, 104 min.
ISAN
0000-0001-E6F9-0000-2
Production
Association Climage, RTS Radio Télévision Suisse, ARTE G.E.I.E., RSI Radiotelevisione svizzera, SRG SSR
Producer
Fernand Melgar
directed by
Fernand Melgar
Written by
Fernand Melgar
Cinemato­graphy
Camille Cottagnoud
Editing
Karine Sudan
Sound Editing
Alexander Miesch
Re-Recording Mix
Denis Séchaud
Location Sound Mix
Marc von Stürler

World Sales / World Rights

World Rights
Association Climage

Worldwide Distribution

Finland
YLE TV - Finnish Broadcasting Company TV Rights
France
Dissidenz Films Distribution
Release date: 28.03.2012
Switzerland
Look Now! Distribution
Release date: 17.09.2008

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