"Sister" : Swiss Chronicle Of A Stolen Childhood

Switzerland is a country of which most people have an image of First World poster-child, and well above average living conditions for its population. A neutral, financially secure nation known for its fair share of the Alps and the high-end resorts in them. All in all a modern and prosperous nation. Given this, it is unfair to judge a film based on the context and generalizations about its country of origin, but with Ursula Meier's new feature "Sister" this might be an important fact to consider when reflecting on the power of her piece. A coming of age story that is well structured within a singular location and without dwelling too much on the exposition of the character's past. Two young people dealing with the cards they've been dealt, in not an ideal way, but speaking truly of our need to be accepted and cared for, no matter how strong someone seems to be. It is hard to dive fully into the consequences and questions the film provokes without dropping a huge and evil "spoiler" which really shakes the ground in the film and makes the audience question everything they have seen. This secret, which I will refrain from spilling,  is perhaps as sad as it is disturbing and angering, begging for answers in terms of parental responsibility, and the heartbreaking stolen childhood unfolding on the screen. Meier creatures brutally human characters, tough and robbed of their innocence who are also,with every move begging for love. In the culminant moments of the film this sadness comes in great doses, and tears in this snowy, moving tale about children growing up alone, are not drop lightly.

Simon (Kacey Mottet Klein) is a prepubescent 12 year-old who lives with his sister Louise (Lea Seydoux) on the outskirts of a Swiss ski resort, they live off  the earnings from Simon's stolen skiing gear business. He spends his days going up to the resort to steal skies, glasses, gloves, etc to resell them and that way survive, as his sister doesnt provide for them and his parents seem,for most of the film, absent. Happy with the stingy and forced acts of kindness from his sister, Simon risks getting caught and becomes a street-smart kid that really has no choice, bu never seems to wallow on his troubles. His devotion to his sister is what keeps him going, even is she fails him time and time again. Louise is more concerned with drinking, hanging out with her abusive boyfriend and using Simon as her private bank, this vile indifference towards Simon hides her most infamous secret. Both of them are kids struggling to get by and suffer to afford the most basic necessities, while surrounded by opulence, and an equally indifferent society. The story doesnt give us a definite answer about the future of these siblings, but it opens their souls in silence for the audience to observe.

Simon is like any other kid, but he has been force to becoming a thief, to hide and be very organized and methodical about his acts, as if his whole existence is based on hiding to survive. At heart he is a loving kid just looking to be loved back. Restlessly trying to ignite some sort of affection from his only family member but with no response. In this search he finds a British cook who seems to show some interest in his story, but fails to care for him to save himself, just as everyone around him does.Loneliness is all he knows, he can provide for himself, but the the most valuable item cant be stolen. Simon desperately begs to belong to a family, to be hugged, and that is the devastating cross he must carry. Kacey Mottet Klein delivers a performance that I must admit made me teary, and his counterpart Lea Seydoux is raw, cold, and selfish, but not a complete villain. She is a kid forced to grow too fast as well. This is indeed the chronicle of their lost childhood, and their quest to feel wanted and deserving of love. Simon and Louise only have each other but that is what is toxic for them, these forceful reciprocal need for each other. Alone Together. Take into account that I still havent revealed the secret in the film, which might make many people feel an even more complex mixed of pity, sadness, and guilt.

Swiss films not often take the center stage of World Cinema, but with Meier's "Sister" or "L'enfant d'en haut" its original title, this might chance. Winner of a special award at this year's Berlin Film Festival, and chosen as Switzerland's Foreign Language Oscar Official Submission, the film might surprise many for its emotional power and beautiful visuals. Shot by the brilliant and renowned cinematographer Agnes Godard, and directed and co-written by Ursula Meier, the film is a tour de force, and a moving drama set in the middle of beautiful Swiss snow. Out in theaters now in limited release. Grade A.