Bonjour Switzerland
In this socially conscious slapstick political comedy about multilingualism, a Swiss referendum leaves the country with only one official language—French—much to the chagrin of the German- and Italian-speaking citizens. From the director of SIFF 2018 audience hit Streaker.
Ah, Switzerland! Home of the cuckoo clock, hole-riddled cheese, and the best dang pocket knife you can buy. Throughout its history, the Alpine country has become a byword for neutrality, keeping an even keel during even the most chaotic of world events. Until now. The Swiss government decides to hold a referendum on the country’s long held multilingualism. The “No Blingue” initiative, supported by oddly coiffured media mogul Jeannot Bachmann, would establish one national language. Polls show it will never pass—only it does: French is now the official language, even though only 23% of the population speak it. However this happened, it is now up to federal agent Walter Egli to oversee the planned transition, despite his own execrable command of French. Meanwhile, a separatist group emerges in the southern canton of Ticino, where the Italian language dominates. Walter and his partner, hotshot undercover specialist Jonas Bornard, infiltrate the group only to find out they’re pretty nice people and just might have the right plan to fix this mess. From Peter Luisi and Beat Schlatter—the same creative team behind SIFF 2018 sleeper hit Streaker—Bonjour Switzerland conjures forth the same uproariously entertaining mix of absurdist narrative, wry satire, and warmhearted hilarity.
- Original Language Title: Bon Schurr Ticino
- Director: Peter Luisi
- Principal Cast: Beat Schlatter, Vincent Kucholl, Catherine Pagani, Silvia Jost, Leonardo Nigro
- Country: Switzerland, Italy
- Year: 2023
- Running Time: 88 min.
- Producer: David Luisi, Peter Luisi, Claudio Di Mauro
- Screenplay: Peter Luisi, Beat Schlatter
- Cinematographers: Rafael Kistler
- Editors: Peter Luisi
- Music: Bartin Bezzola
- Filmography: Princess (2021), Streaker (2017), Unlikely Heroes (2014)
- Language: Swiss German, French, Italian
- Has Subtitles: Yes
- International Sales: Swiss Films