WOLKENBRUCH'S WONDROUS JOURNEY INTO THE ARMS OF A SHIKSA is Switzerland’s official submission for the 92nd Academy Awards.

The comedy is based on the best-selling novel "Wolkenbruch’s Wonderous Journey into the Arms of a Schickse" by Thomas Meyer, which takes a closer look at the Orthodox Jewish community in Zurich and is sprinkled with Yiddish dialogues. The focus is on the student Motti Wolkenbruch who, much to his mother’s dismay, falls in love with the beautiful schickse Laura. Featured in the leading roles are Joel Basman and Noémi Schmidt, two young acting talents from Switzerland who have also made an international name for themselves.
 
Switzerland’s box-office hit
Director Michael Steiner has realised two of the most successful films from Switzerland: RASCALS ON THE ROAD (2005) and GROUNDING (2006). WOLKENBRUCH was produced by Turnus Film in Zurich in collaboration with DCM Pictures and SRF Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen. With current ticket sales amounting to approximately 300,000, it was the most successful domestic film in Swiss cinemas in 2018. Netflix has acquired the world sales for the film and is scheduled to run in 2019.

Further Swiss film productions and coproductions eligible for a nomination

Thus far, four short films with Swiss participation and a feature-length documentary film are eligible for a nomination at the 92^nd Academy Awards as a result of winning awards at Oscar-qualifying festivals. The contenders in the various short film categories are: the animation film SELFIES by Claudius Gentinetta; the short documentary film ALL INCLUSIVE by Corina Schwingruber Ilic; EIGENTLICH VERGANGEN by Austrian-Swiss director Nicole Foelsterl; as well as I GOT MY THINGS AND LEFT by the Swiss-based Rwandan Philbert Aimée Mbabazi Sharangabo, a graduate from HEAD – Genève.

The feature-length documentary film BLUE NOTE RECORDS: BEYOND THE NOTES by Sophie Huber (Mira Film), already off to a successful start in cinemas in the USA, is eligible for a nomination in the Documentary Feature category.

On behalf of the Federal Office of Culture, the promotion agency SWISS FILMS has been assigned the task of coordinating and carrying out the selection process of the official Swiss entry for the Academy Awards in the category of International Feature Film (formerly Foreign Language Film). SWISS FILMS facilitates the campaign of the Swiss entry with promotional and financial support. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the short list in December and the Oscar nominations on January 13, 2020. The 92nd Academy Awards will be held in Hollywood on February 9, 2020.

Jury statement
"This year Switzerland is sending a film into the race that has been extremely well received by the public. What environment is a person born into and how does he find his own way? Director Michael Steiner has staged these issues in a humorous and touching manner. The comedy WOLKENBRUCH is rendered convincing with its superb acting ensemble. The leading actor Joel Basman in particular will be a notable face in the Oscar campaign."

Jury 2019
Members of the jury responsible for selecting the Swiss entry for the category of International Feature Film: jury president Christoph Schaub (director), Max Karli (producer), Joëlle Bertossa (producer), Sabine Boss (director), Caterina Mona (editor).

Locarno screening
Saturday, August 17, 11:15 - Palexpo (FEVI)

SWISS FILMS, Locarno, August 9, 2019

Production
Turnus Film AG, Zürich
www.turnusfilm.com
 
Website
www.wolkenbruch-film.ch

Trailer
www.youtube.com

Festivals (selection)
Zurich Film Festival 2018
Chicago Film Festival 2018
UK Jewish Film Festival 2018

Awards
Swiss Film Award, Best Actor 2019 - Joel Basman

Press quote
«Steiner’s film is a charming and subversive take on the traditional rom-com with characters you can invest in and the sweet story of a protagonist torn between the boy he was and the man he wants to become.» The Reviews Hub