The Sparrow in the Chimney

Director:

Ramon Zürcher

Genre:

Drama

Country/Region of production:

Switzerland

Awards and nominations:

Nominee, Golden Leopard, 77th Locarno International Film Festival

Roberto Rossellini Award for Best Film, 8th Pingyao International Film Festival

Synopsis:

In the town of Rapperswil, Switzerland, Karen and Markus raise their children in the house where Karen spent her childhood. When Karen's sister, Jule, arrives with her own family to celebrate Markus' birthday, long-buried tensions begin to emerge. As memories of their late mother resurface, Jule starts to push back against Karen's quiet dominance. What begins as a joyful family reunion soon simmers with unspoken emotions. As the house fills with voices and laughter, Karen's inner turmoil deepens.

Why we recommend it:

The film begins with the reunion of adult siblings at their parents' former home, revealing hidden emotional conflicts within the family. The director employs a delicate narrative to illustrate the interweaving of familial love and responsibility while also portraying the inner rebellion and self-redemption of its members. By evoking memories of their deceased mother, the film conveys the complexity of cross-generational emotions and cultural heritage. As both a family drama and a work of cross-cultural art, it reflects the tension between traditional family values and modern individual liberation in a globalized context.

"The Sparrow in the Chimney" has been selected for the Swiss Film Week of the 15th Beijing International Film Festival to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland.