23/09/2009

For the first time this year, it was up to audiences – whose choice was confirmed by a jury – to select the Swiss representative for the nomination race for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. From September 15-19, viewers at the "From Delémont To Hollywood" mini-festival were able to judge a selection of hopefuls and choose their favourite.

Unsurprisingly, it is Ursula Meier’s Home [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Kacey Mottet Klein
interview: Thierry Spicher
interview: Ursula Meier
film profile] that will have the honour of representing Switzerland in Los Angeles.

Since its world première in Cannes Critics’ Week in 2008, Home has won a host of prizes at many international festivals, including three Quartz trophies at the Swiss Film Awards, the highest distinction in Switzerland.

Starring internationally-renowned actors Isabelle Huppert and Olivier Gourmet, Home is the debut feature by Swiss-French director Meier, who divides her time between Brussels, Paris and Geneva.

Co-penned by screenwriter Antoine Jaccoud, the film tells the story of an unconventional family who live in a secluded house on the edge of a disused motorway. The day the road is finally reopened to traffic, their idyllic life turns into hell.

Produced by Switzerland’s Box Productions, France’s Archipel 35 and Belgium’s Need Productions, the film has already been released in many countries. The Oscar nominations will be announced on February 2, 2010 ahead of the awards ceremony on March 7.

(Translated from French)