‘A Piece Of Sky’ takes top prize at 2023 Swiss Film Awards

The Swiss film industry celebrated its finest at the 2023 Swiss Film Awards, which took place on April 13th in Zurich. This year’s ceremony was particularly noteworthy, as it marked the 25th anniversary of the awards. The biggest winner of the night was “A Piece of Sky,” a captivating drama directed by Swiss filmmaker Ursula Meier. The film took home the top prize of Best Swiss Feature Film, along with two other awards.

“A Piece of Sky” tells the story of a young woman named Sarah who, after her mother’s sudden death, returns to her family’s isolated mountain home. Struggling with grief and a sense of isolation, Sarah becomes fascinated by a group of young men who live in the woods nearby. As she becomes more drawn into their world, Sarah must confront the reality of her own life and make difficult choices about her future.

The film is a masterful blend of drama and psychological thriller, with stunning cinematography that captures the beauty and isolation of the mountain landscape. The film’s performances are equally impressive, with newcomer Emma Stone delivering a nuanced and powerful performance as Sarah, and Swiss actor Max Hubacher providing a chilling portrayal of one of the young men in the woods.

In addition to winning Best Swiss Feature Film, “A Piece of Sky” also took home the award for Best Screenplay, written by Meier and her longtime collaborator Antoine Jaccoud. The film’s screenplay is a tightly constructed narrative that expertly weaves together Sarah’s personal journey with the darker elements of the story.

Meier herself was also recognized for her outstanding directing, winning the award for Best Director. In her acceptance speech, Meier thanked her cast and crew, as well as the Swiss film industry for its support.

Other notable winners at the 2023 Swiss Film Awards included “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” which won Best Documentary Film, and “The Last Dance,” which won Best Short Film. The ceremony also featured a special tribute to the late Swiss filmmaker Claude Goretta, who passed away in February of this year.

The Swiss film industry has long been renowned for its innovation and creativity, with many talented filmmakers and actors hailing from the country. The Swiss Film Awards serve as an important platform for recognizing and promoting Swiss cinema, both domestically and internationally.

In recent years, Swiss cinema has garnered increasing attention and critical acclaim on the global stage. In 2021, Swiss director Petra Volpe’s “The Divine Order” was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, while in 2022, Swiss actor Stefan Kurt won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in “The Innocent.”

As the Swiss film industry continues to grow and evolve, events like the Swiss Film Awards play a crucial role in promoting and supporting the country’s talented filmmakers and actors. Through the recognition and celebration of outstanding films like “A Piece of Sky,” the awards help to shine a spotlight on the rich and diverse cinematic culture of Switzerland.

In conclusion, the 2023 Swiss Film Awards was a celebration of the best in Swiss cinema, with “A Piece of Sky” emerging as the big winner of the night. The film’s captivating story, stunning visuals, and powerful performances are a testament to the talent and creativity of the Swiss film industry. As the country’s filmmakers and actors continue to push boundaries and explore new avenues of storytelling, events like the Swiss Film Awards will remain an essential platform for recognizing and promoting their work.