Fortress, The

The Small Cinema * Wednesday (August 5, 2009) *6:00 p.m.

La Forteresse / The Fortress, Switzerland (CH) 2008, colour, 100 min.

dir Fernand Melgar pro Fernand Melgar sc Claude Muret ph Camille Cottagnoud sound Marc von Stürler ed Karine Sudan dis Accent Films International

Story about Swiss reception centre for asylum seekers. There are 200 men, women and children here. They all know that they are at the doorsteps of paradise – wealthy and safe Swiss is within hand-reach. Their fate is in clerks hands though. Clerks, who fulfill their duty with Swiss precision – analyzing immigrants statements, trying to choose those who really need help. Their attitude might seem soulless, but the law is merciless – only 20 percent from those immigrants will be granted asylum.

Discovered at Locarno International Film Festival 2008, Golden Leopard - Filmmakers of the Present.

Trailer: see

Fernand Melgar (1961)

Swiss actor of Spanish origin. Self-taught producer, director and editor of documentaries since 1985.