Cows graze atop rolling hills, the Säntis cable car glides towards the mountain station, and behind it, 2.5 million light years away, the Andromeda Nebula shimmers. In Urnäsch, winter is drawing in: the local butcher cutting the last geraniums from their window boxes and the men’s choir is rehearsing. But when the streetlights go out, leaving only the stars twinkling above, the village youth gather and dreams of other worlds are discussed.
A dry, gaping hole. Those unlucky enough to see it, will find happiness.
Josef finds a propeller hat and does everything he can to be able to fly with it. That's roughly the short film narrative of film student Claudius, who does everything in his power to finally shoot his graduation film. But making films isn't that easy, not to mention flying.
Hanka visits her lonely grandfather Bobek. At dinner, they eat fruit preserves from earlier times, and Bobek tells stories of his lost love. He confesses his mistakes, which led to him break his ex-girlfriend’s heart. For her, it becomes a journey into the past, while for him, it's a confrontation with his life.
Daut, a survivor of a massacre where his son was killed, has been rehearsing a letter for 20 years on what he will say if Hague ever calls him to testify for the horrors he has seen that day. The burden of memories gets heavier when he gets the news that his brother died of an illness, making Daut the only last survivor to remember the event. His mind starts to fail him on important details of the testimony. He might never bring justice for his son. For his brother. For his friends. Will the dead forgive him for giving up and being handed over to oblivion?
It's 10:47 pm on a bus somewhere in a city. A few teenagers are listening to music and talking loudly. The other passengers look languidly out the window or at their cell phones. A drunk man gets in and joins the teenagers; the mood starts to shift.
Laurent is a wind turbine mechanic with a special affinity for fans. When he stays at Anais' hotel for a night, sparks fly and the elements begin to collide.
Wherever Toni shows up, even a meat counter turns into a regulars’ table. Ever since the musician chucked his guitar, he lingers through life as a well known grumbler. When a parcel is mistakenly delivered to his door, he gets into his car without further ado, trying to find the right addressee. Already at the first crossroads a seemingly endless odyssey begins to unfold.
Switzerland in the 1950s: Electricity consumption is rising steadily. Two officials are commissioned by the city to convince the inhabitants of the Gettlichtal to leave voluntarily so that dams and reservoirs can be built. But the mountain farmer Marie, who has spent her entire life here, finds it difficult to leave the valley.
The story of three Turkish men. They all grew up in Switzerland and all got deported after various criminal offenses.
Christina is in her mid-twenties and in a sensual and playful relationship with her boyfriend Joel. Though it irritates her when Joel takes erotic photos of her during sex, she gladly submits to it, for him. After all, they’re not teenagers anymore. Christina eventually starts to question her trust in Joel when she sees him tipsily showing a photo on his phone to their mutual friend Tanner. Christina’s doubts alone suffice to put the couple’s relationship to the test.
When an unmarried and childless funeral director searches for relatives of a man who died in solitude, she becomes aware of her own longing.
Anna, the child of Swiss-Korean parents, is torn between her culture and identity. When a strange North Korean man magically appears in her wardrobe, she not only learns more about herself, but also develops a precious friendship.
Filmmaking in the silent film era. Stuntman Tom is tired of falling into the dirt for other people and now takes it into his own hands to be promoted to star of the film.
After Whim makes it through the unconventional audition for the dance piece Syncope, the choreographer finds himself unsatisfied with her full commitment. But what she and the other dancers experience in the rehearsals is just a glimpse of what his dark vision will demand from them.
Measuring their power and proving themselves is part of the boys’ everyday life. Even for the 13-year-old gentle-natured Yannik. Until his best friend’s upcoming sexual curiosity suddenly puts him in a threatening situation. Where is the line between game and reality and what happens if that line is crossed?
Nestled behind high mountains and dark forests lies Triberg, the birthplace of the cuckoo clock. For centuries, this cult item has been handcrafted right here, attracting tourists from all over the world. Ever since the boom of the 1980s has faded, the cuckoo clock has gradually lost its appeal and magic. And so has the place, which now resembles a ghost town. Its residents however still believe in their clock: Vendors, clockmakers and tourist guides alike fight to preserve their beloved heritage. Between abandoned restaurants and souvenir shops they hope for new tourists, while the clock continues ticking away.
In unspectacular everyday scenes we observe three groups, their dynamics and moods over the course of a day.
