Closed country

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Movie
Original title Closed country
Country of production Switzerland
original language German , French , Swiss German , English
Publishing year 1999
length 83 minutes
Rod
Director Kaspar Kasics
script Kaspar Kasics, research: Stefan Mächler
production Distant Lights Filmproduktion GmbH, Kaspar Kasics, Stefan Mächler
music Me tanner
camera Matthias Kälin, Andreas Zschokke
cut Myriam Flury, Kaspar Kasics

Closed Country is a Swiss documentary by Kaspar Kasics , which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival.

content

The film tells the story of the Jewish families Popowski and Sonabend, who lived in the same neighborhood in Brussels and wanted to escape to Switzerland after the deportations began in August 1942. Both had business and friendly relations with Switzerland and had planned and prepared their week-long escape through occupied France. They were not informed about the secret instructions of the then head of the Federal Aliens Police, Heinrich Rothmund, and their implementation by the Swiss border guards. While the Popowski family only got as far as the Swiss border , they reached the supposedly safe place of residence of their friends in Biel two days later. In the meantime Heinrich Rothmund had ordered the complete closure of the border for all refugees. Based on his personal experience: During a border inspection that was decided at short notice, he was confronted with the Popowskis detained at the border and pushed to a decision by the border guards. After he couldn't bring himself to reject the 'unpleasant company' (as he called the family), he decided a day later in his office to close the border. This led to the deportation of the Sonabend family to France, where they immediately fell into the hands of the German Wehrmacht and were deported to Auschwitz a few days later. Their friends had reported their arrival to the Swiss authorities as instructed, on the assumption that they would be safe as Jewish refugees in Switzerland. The two children alone survived the deportation thanks to an incident that they kept to themselves for life.

Closed Country reveals the behavior of the Aliens Police during the Second World War , especially the anti-Jewish attitude that has been repressed to this day and its arbitrary, bureaucratic implementation, which culminated in the border closure on August 13, 1942, which police chief Heinrich Rothmund ordered. Five decades later, the survivors of the two families learn what exactly happened on the Jura border.

reception

The film, based on research by the historian Stefan Mächler, generated numerous and varied reactions in the press and the public. It led to the lawsuit brought by Charles and Sabine Sonabend against the Swiss government for aiding and abetting murder (of their parents). The film premiered in the Official Selection (Panorama) of the Berlin International Film Festival and was shown at renowned film festivals around the world. In Jerusalem he received a special mention written by Renato Begnini.

An extraordinarily intelligent, brilliantly researched film.
Berlin newspaper

The film is a successful showpiece in memory archeology. A message to future generations, without obtrusive morals, only depicting one's own being, calm and subtle, for brief moments also dedicated, a film full of questions and answers that lead to new questions and answers.
Basler newspaper

Le film ouvre une nouvelle génération de documentaires que ne se contentent pas d'illustrer le sort de victimes ou de désigner des coupables. Parce qu'il ne permet ni la compassion, ni l'indignation complaisante, il oblige à s'interroger sur les enchaînements de décisions qui aboutissent à l'inhumain.
Le Temps

The ironic and understated mosaic creates a riveting reflection on the question of the banality of evil.
Roberto Begnini (Special mention of Jerusalem Film Festival Jury)

C'est éclairant et parfaitement émouvant.
Le Courier, Geneva

Reviews

  • Robert Weixlbaumer: Healthy people's feeling. Scenes on the Swiss border: closed country. In: Berliner Zeitung. No. 38, 1999, ( ; 232 KB ).
  • Antoine Wyss: Deux familles juives, deux destins opposés. In: Le Temps. No. 280, 1999, ( ; 290 KB ).
  • Thomas Maissen : The Jew and his border guard. Closed Country - a film by Kaspar Kasics. In: Neue Zürcher Zeitung. March 17, 2000, ( ; 300 KB ).
  • Agathe Blaser: Out into death. In: Berner Zeitung. March 18, 2000, ( ; 243 KB ).
  • La Suisse, un si joli pays .... In: Le Courrier, Genève. September 15, 2001, ( ; 274 KB ).

Web links