Die Schweizermacher

Hilarious and biting political satire is mainly intended as a vehicle for the popular comedian Emil Steinberger, whose humor hits the point here, but may be a challenge for a foreign audience; to this day, the most successful Swiss film.

Two officials must decide if some foreigners living in Switzerland can get the Swiss nationality. I envoyed very much this film because it is full of tenderness, humour and critical sense. It's also the most popular Swiss film ever made: it was seen and appreciated in all the parts of Switzerland. A part of this success is due to the performance of Emil Steinberger as Moritz Fischer, the new assistant.Emil Steinberger (commonly called Emil in Switzerland) is a very famous comic comedian, for years he was stage-actor presenting his funny sketchs in Switzerland and Germany.Besides Emil Steinberger has worked as clown for many years in the Circus Knie and speaks perfectly French, so that the people of the French speaking part of Switzerland knows him quite well.

As an American living in France and working in Switzerland during the early 1980s, I'd often stop at the border and chat with a friendly Swiss customs/immigration officer. One morning, he asked me if I'd seen 'Die Scweizermacher' and, with a smile, recommended it to me. Accepting this as an 'official' and informed recommendation, I soon saw the film. It was in German with the other 3 official languages as subtitles but, because the lead character is played by Emile, the famous circus clown, and the stories within the film are so stereotypical, understanding it is no problem. (The film was shown one year in New York City at the Swiss Cultural Center on lower Broadway but seems not to be known in the US.) Besides the traditional European nationalities being screened for Swiss citizenship, the film fades on an American who bops into the office making the same request. For those who appreciate the Swiss — and who marvel at current US immigration procedures — this film is a gem!

The movie is still very up to date in terms of migration background and the difficulties of integrating. If the movie would be shot today it would definitely lack the political incorrectness, which is the essence of it all. Of course some of the finest swiss actors participate, giving it a unique touch One of my absolute all-time top favorite movie, and certainly one of those flicks you can watch over and over again.....play it again Sam. Oh yes a few other highlights of swiss flicks: Der schwarze Tanner, Höhenfeuer, Sonnyboy, and of course just recently released Sennentuntschi. Especially Sennentuntschi a combination of Thriller, Mysthic, and bloody Facts will be kept in mind.

For anyone who lives in Switzerland, this is a must-see.

It's true although exaggerated (sometimes !), very funny, touching, and just well made.

It brings to the fore all the foibles of the Swiss, strengths and weaknesses, and it's just a great movie to watch.

It's romantic too !

I highly recommend it to anyone who lives in or has lived in Switzerland, including all Swiss !!!

Emil is wonderful in it too, and I wish he had made more films, he is perfect in this role.

I sometimes have a hard time buying it since it's getting old, but I've found it a few times and given it to friends.

Get your copy now, if you can.