Going Swiss on celluloid
ZIYA US SALAM
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The varied hues of Switzerland's topography and society are depicted by filmmakers, be they from Bollywood or Hollywood. Or even the Swiss themselves.
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FAKING IT Yash Chopra's "Veer Zara" was set in Punjab but such is his love for Switzerland that he went to shoot a few scenes in the country
A Swiss Art Council-organised show of "Raja's Journey" by Karl Saurer is not exactly the place to get into the dream world, a world where every Bollywood heroine worth her name has danced on top of the Alps. The heroine has almost always been in a translucent white sari, the hero in a black leather jacket with a muffler.
There are pine trees in the vicinity. And amazingly, tulips are not too far away. Not to forget guitar strings! It is a stereotype situation in a Hindi or many of the South Indian movies. However, the law of marginal utility does not seem to apply when it comes to exploiting the beauty of Switzerland, the land where Yash Chopra shot "Veer-Zara", the land which gave us "Syriana", Stephen Gaghan's film, provocative for some, an honest portrayal for others.
Not to forget the third part of the Star Wars series, "Revenge of the Sith". Be it Hindi or Hollywood, Switzerland, which makes films barely enough to challenge human memory, continues to be part of the filmspace. However, it is opening its frontiers to more and more films, encouraging co-productions too.
Urban settings
The country is now developing into one of Europe's most attractive locations for its urban settings as well. Lower prices and the development of the local industry are making it easier for foreign filmmakers to get what they want, shoot fast and efficiently. In fact, there are parks and enclaves in the country where stories of the canning of several Bollywood flicks are recounted. Many of the trees have small plaques attached, mentioning the names of major films shot around them. While Film Location Switzerland is the official Swiss film commission in charge of assisting foreign filmmaker in finding the right locations and local partners, others can opt for co-production too. To be eligible for public finding though, a film co-produced between Switzerland and another country must be officially recognised as a Swiss film and an independent Swiss film produce must be chosen as a partner, who will then apply for public funds.
Local films
Coming back to Saurer's film screened at a special show in Zurich, it is a moving account of how an elephant is trapped in Kerala, then transported all the way to Europe, and how the giant animal becomes the centre of attraction in new surroundings.
Incidentally, Saurer's film was not the only portrayal of Swiss work. There was Vitus too. Directed by Fredi Murer, it relates the story of a boy too talented not to be a genius.
He is good at piano. He studies encyclopaedia at the age of five. But he wants only the simple joys of life. Winners of awards in Berlin, Rome, Chicago and Los Angeles film festivals, it evoked more than a few sighs from the audience, who also appreciated a little peep into the life of invisible minorities of Switzerland, courtesy Yusuf Yesiloz's film, portraying the journey of a girl who moves from Turkey to Switzerland at the age of nine. She takes to the new place, mixes with the locals but longs for her own country's traditions.
These films depict a little slice of Swiss life. Just as Bollywood and Hollywood depict a little slice of the Swiss topography. Between them, they showcase the varied hues of Switzerland to the film-loving public across the world, across the barriers of region.
Next time, you see a Matt Damon or a Shah Rukh Khan film, keep eye open to catch a glimpse of Switzerland. And next time, you are Murer's film, keep your mind's eye open for a film, specific in subject, universal in appeal.
Just like Switzerland.
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