Swiss Film Prize 2022 – The Ukraine drama “Olga” wins the medal – culture

An award ceremony marked by topicality: Swiss perspectives on Russia and Ukraine were awarded. The film drama “Olga” is awarded in three categories.

Swiss filmmaking does not lead a niche existence: that is a truism. But the most important awards at the Swiss Film Prize 2022 underline it: The best Swiss feature film “Olga” is about the uprising in Ukraine in 2014 – from the point of view of a gymnast in Magglingen.

Meanwhile, the best documentary “Ostrov – The Lost Island” tells of a Russian family of fishermen on an island in the Caspian Sea. Fishing is illegal, but the belief in powerful Russia that is shown on propaganda television nevertheless dominates.

No opportunism

In short, one could say that the Swiss Film Academy and its approximately 500 members let the headlines guide their decisions. But that’s wrong: Both works deserve their awards primarily because of their extraordinary cinematic qualities.

And of course “Olga” and “Ostrov” still get these awards because of their political far-sightedness. Last but not least, important cinematic art means looking early enough where there is a fire. Especially where TV teams often don’t make it – in the most inconspicuous side scenes of world events.

Also looks inward

The German-Swiss feature film production “Soul of a Beast” entered the race with the most nominations this year: A tonal-aesthetic film frenzy from Zurich’s Langstrasse. A wild work in rich colors with intact chances on the international art house market.

“Soul of a Beast” was awarded for the best camera work (Fabian Kimoto and Lorenz Merz, who also directed), for the best music and for the best male leading actor: Pablo Caprez – a new face.

These are prizes for formally innovative, visually overwhelming artistic creations without fear of contact with the dreamlike and the unconscious.

«La Mif»: Powerful and loud

The Geneva feature film production “La Mif” also won three prizes: with a cast of amateurs, the film tells of conflicts in a home for teenage girls. The film experience is stirring, convincing and intense: it was clear that this intense film should not go empty handed at the Swiss Film Awards.

“La Mif” was honored for the best editing, and thus for the tight cohesion of a narrative form that was interlaced in time. And above all: Claudia Grob as best actress and Anaïs Uldry as best supporting actress – two well-deserved prizes for two non-professionals.

Legend:

The amateur actresses also developed the screenplay.

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A good vintage

All in all, it can be said that Swiss film is doing extremely well at the moment. There is young blood at work. These are all films that don’t come off schoolmasterly or aloof, but that get right under your skin.

You should see these films. And because the Swiss Film Prize contributes to the visibility of these strong films, it can be summed up: this award ceremony is more than a glamorously spiced up industry event. She is important.

Swiss Film Prize 2022 – all winners