The Audience Award goes to “Schweizer Helden”

“Schweizer Helden” celebrated its world premiere on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 on the famous Piazza Grande of Locarno before 6'900 spectators. It is the audience that has chosen this Swiss comedy as its favourite among the 11 international productions which have been presented on the Piazza Grande during this year’s edition. This motion picture unwinds in a Swiss immigration detention centre whose residents are presenting a play on “William Tell”. The Audience Award comes with a prize money of CHF 30'000. Thus, after “Giulias Verschwinden” by Christoph Schaub back in 2009, it is again a Swiss production which has been awarded. 

It is as a co-author in the motion picture “Vitus” (2006), Fredi Murer’s masterpiece, that Peter Luisi has made a name for himself. “Schweizer Helden” is, after “Boys Are Us” (2013), “Der Sandmann” (2011), “Love Made Easy” (2005) and “Verflixt verliebt” (2004), the fifth motion picture by the Zurich producer. The world rights of “Schweizer Helden” (Unlikely Heroes) are being distributed by “m-appeal” in Berlin.

Within the international competition of the Locarno Film Festival, it is the documentary “L’abri” by Fernand Melgar, a filmmaker from the French speaking part of Switzerland, which has caused a sensation. His motion picture deals with the homeless at the Lausanne hostel and has received the honours of the Youth Jury.

Locarno, August 16, 2014