Bon Schuur Ticino

Plot: The «No bilingue» initiative demands only one national language from now on! The result: a crazy referendum that throws Switzerland into a chaotic state of emergency. Especially when it actually became national: Switzerland would become monolingual - French! Many citizens experience a crisis as a result. This includes Walter Egli (played by Swiss Comedian Beat Schlatter), who works for the federal police, doesn't speak a lick of French and has to make sure that the transition to monolingualism goes smoothly. Together with his French partner, he is tasked with uncovering a resistance group sprouting up in the south of Switzerland, which is fighting against the implementation of the initiative by any means necessary. - Finally, a laughing movie theater again! - Peter Luisi's Swiss comedy about the possibility of a monolingual (read: French) Switzerland is not only original, but also thoroughly Swiss. With the plot motif of a resistance group, the story threatens to descend into pure slapstick, but manages to find its feet with wit, charm and esprit. It's also nice that a director finally manages to tell his story in ninety minutes again (and doesn't need three or more hours to do so).

The whole idea is silly but the film is pure joy. I don't speak French or German brilliantly but there are wonderful jokes, slap stick and outrageous ideas that somehow feel very very Swiss.

The cinematography is wonderful - well it is Switzerland. The story is fast paced with many sharp. The protagonist's mother sharpening a sword is something that will stay with me

Of course it could never happen. The reason for our unity is down to having four languages. It shows that we can stick together despite our differences

I hope it is released with English subtitles so the rest of the world can enjoy it.

I also feel that it needs sequel!

Bon Schuur Ticino tries desperately to channel the chaotic charm of Tschugger but crashes and burns in spectacular fashion. It's neither funny nor remotely authentic, instead veering into cringe-inducing territory that's painful to watch. The acting is wooden, the dialogue forced, and the premise-a civil war in Ticino- isn't just unfunny, it's outright stupid. The story lurches from one idiotic plot point to the next, dragging the viewer through a mire of embarrassment and boredom. This film isn't just a miss; it's a cinematic disaster that insults the intelligence of its audience. Save your time and skip this drivel.

The premise of Bon Schuur Ticino is both funny and clever: what if Switzerland had to give up its four national languages and settle on just one? It's a playful "what if" scenario that feels ripe for satire.

We follow a policeman who, at the start, is tasked with learning and enforcing the new official language among the population. Of course, he doesn't want to, and his reluctance almost costs him his job. That's when his boss sends him undercover to Ticino, where resistance to the new policy is strongest. There, a militia group is forming to oppose the enforced language, and chaos naturally follows.

While the idea is fantastic, the execution leaves something to be desired. The acting often feels stiff, and the dialogue comes across as forced, as if the performers are reciting lines rather than embodying characters. At most of the times, it plays more like an awkward stage play than a natural film.

That said, for Swiss viewers especially, the cultural references and little jabs at national quirks will land with some charm. You'll likely find yourself laughing here and there just because you recognize the uniquely Swiss details woven into the story.

Overall, it's not a great film, but it's moderately entertaining, especially considering the usual standard of Swiss productions. For me, it lands at 6 out of 10.