The Victoria Film Festival (VFF) is rolling the reels for an epic 31st celebration! And with many films with a German or Swiss connection!

The Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver is giving away two tickets to the Victoria Film Festival for one of the two Swiss films: “Frieda's Case” or “Gloria!”. Enter the draw by February 6!

Frieda’s Case

Switzerland, Germany / 2024 / 107 min / Historical Drama

Synopsis

In 1904, sewist Frieda Keller was put on trial in Switzerland for the murder of her young son. As the court determines Keller’s innocence, deeper questions emerge about what could inspire this unthinkable act and what part societal structures play in this tragedy. These are the questions Academy award nominated filmmaker Maria Brendle asks with grace and urgency in Frieda’s Case. Based on a true story, this beautifully shot courtroom drama emphasizes the complicated, but identifiably human elements of Keller and asks audiences what they would do in her circumstances. With the support of a star-making turn by Julia Buchmann, Brendle not only provides an in-depth look into Keller’s life, but into the complex case that shaped the conversation around women’s rights and the justice system in Switzerland for decades after.

From Hilde, with Love

Germany / 2024 / Biography Drama / 124 min

Synopsis

From Hilde, with Love, a fiction feature film by Andreas Dresen, is a heartfelt story of love and resistance within Nazi Germany during World War II. Based on true events, it brings to life the bravery of those who dared to resist within the country.

The film opens with the arrest of Hilde Coppi and a small group of allies, accused of treason for transmitting coded messages to Moscow as part of the communist resistance. Though she initially denies the charges, the damning evidence soon forces her to face the harsh reality of her situation. From this gripping beginning, the story unfolds along two timelines: one following Hilde’s time in prison, and the other working backward from the present, gradually revealing how she fell in love with Hans and joined the resistance.

Gloria!

Switzerland, Italy / 2024 / 106 min / Historical Musical Drama

Grand Jury Prize Seattle Film Festival

Synopsis

It is the 1800s and Teresa is a servant at the Sant’Ignazio Music Institute for Orphaned Girls outside of Venice. Despite being non-verbal, she has a deep love for music and dreams of becoming one of the great classical composers. As the school and their main male conductor is preparing to perform a concert for Pope Pius VII, Teresa collaborates with a quartet of students to compose their own piece that captures the world by surprise.

This tribute to the lost female composers of this period is at the core of Gloria!, the directorial debut of Italian pop star Margherita Vicario. It is a film that takes the best parts of Good Will Hunting, then adds a sense of female empowerment and an incredible score composed by Vicario. With a charming, young ensemble cast, viewers will come out of this film motivated to make a difference.

Gloria! speaks to how talent can come from anywhere and the community’s ability to empower you even in the darkest of times. –JD

Grand Tour

Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, Japan, China / 2024 / 128 mins / Historical Comedy Drama

Synopsis:

In Grand Tour, Miguel Gomes, who won the Best Director award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in 2024, delivers a visually stunning and emotionally resonant journey across Asia. The story begins in 1917 in Burma, as Edward, a British civil servant, dramatically flees his fiancée Molly on their wedding day to Singapore. His quest for freedom unfolds into an epic journey, transforming into a “grand tour” across the vibrant landscapes of Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, and China.

Me, Maryam, the Children and 26 Others

Germany, Iran, Czech Republic / 2024 / 102 min / Comedy Drama

Synopsis

Me, Maryam, the Children and 26 Others is a feature fiction film by Iranian filmmaker Farshad Hashemi that offers an intimate, female-centered reflection on everyday life and loneliness in post-COVID Iran.

The story follows Mahboube, who decides to rent out her house to a film crew. The extra income is a welcome relief, and having some company around seems like a good idea. However, things don’t go as smoothly as she hoped. The large crew quickly turns her home upside down and she struggles to cope with the intrusion. Mahboube voices her frustrations to the director, who reassures her that everything will be put back in place. Yet, she begins to realize that the chaos in her home isn’t the real issue.

The COVID years have left Mahboube feeling disconnected, from herself and from others. As she watches the crew film a short story about a crumbling marriage, she begins to reflect on her own life and what has been missing.

My Favourite Cake

Iran, France, Sweden, Germany / 2024 / 97 min / Comedy Romance

Synopsis

70-year-old Mahin is a lonely widow living in Tehran. With her children living abroad and the restrictive nature of women’s rights in Iran, she has resigned herself to a life of solitude. That is, until she meets Faramarz, and for the first time since her husband’s death, Mahin experiences a spark of excitement and possibility.

My Favourite Cake, directed by Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghaddam, offers an intimate and poignant glimpse into contemporary Iran through the lens of a deceptively feminist romance. As filmmakers who have famously had their passports confiscated, Sanaeeha and Moghaddam have crafted a bold, unapologetic film that dares to explore the life of a modern woman seeking joy and love in a society that often silences her.

Samia

Italy, Germany, Belgium / 2024 / 102 min / Biography Sports Drama

Synopsis

Samia is a masterful film, helmed by Yasemin Şamdereli, about the eponymous, strong-willed, Somalian young woman whose gift of speed transforms her life.

From a young age, it was clear that Samia was destined to sprint her way to greatness. As civil unrest amplifies in her hometown Mogadishu, Samia’s ability to train becomes hampered by local militias staunchly opposed to women engaging in sports. When Samia’s father and biggest champion suddenly dies, her mother defies their society’s conservative values and rallies her family in support of Samia’s dream to race and honour her father’s memory.

Samia’s discipline and determination take her all the way to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, which sparks a fire inside her to make the 2012 London Olympics a reality. Her return to Africa amidst the ongoing civil war confirms her suspicions – if representing Somalia at the next Olympics is in her future, she needs to leave. As Samia’s journey unfolds, she becomes a powerful testament to the human spirit, showcasing the resilience, courage, and determination that define a champion.

Teaches of Peaches

Germany / 2024 / 102 min / Documentary

Synopsis

Teaches of Peaches, a feature-length documentary by Philipp Fussenegger and Judy Landkammer, offers an electrifying deep dive into the life and legacy of Canadian singer, performer, and feminist queer icon Peaches.

The film explores the incredible journey of Merrill Nisker, better known as Peaches, from her early days as a kindergarten teacher serenading children to her transformation into the unapologetic “Grandmother of Electropunk.” Celebrating the 20th anniversary of her groundbreaking album The Teaches of Peaches, the documentary highlights her bold message of sexual freedom through hits like “Fuck the Pain Away” and “Cum Undun.” Packed with never-before-seen footage, unfiltered interviews, and raw concert moments from her anniversary tour, viewers are invited into Peaches’ world—her art, her band and crew, and her (former) lovers.

Vibrant and fearless, the documentary not only embraces Peaches’ provocative performances but also celebrates aging, sexuality, and self-expression. With a mix of humor and heart, it offers a genuine portrait of what it means to be a trailblazer for gender and sexual liberation. Winner of the prestigious Teddy Award for Best Documentary at the Berlinale 2024, Teaches of Peaches is a joyous, defiant celebration of individuality that will leave you dancing—and reflecting—long after the credits roll. –MS

The Witness

Iran, Germany, Austria / 2024 / 100 mins/ Crime Drama

Venice Film Festival Audience Award

Synopsis

The Witness, a fiction feature film by Iranian filmmaker Nader Saeivar, is a stirring tribute to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement and the resilience of women in Iran.

The story centers on Mrs. Ghorbani, a respected elderly history teacher, union member, and social activist, known for her tireless support of women in need. Among them is Zara, a young woman trapped in an abusive marriage to Solat. Mrs. Ghorbani steps in as a mediator, striving to keep Zara safe by offering refuge whenever her husband’s abuse escalates. At the heart of their conflict is Zara’s passion for teaching dance—a pursuit Solat once accepted but now opposes due to his career ties to the government. When Mrs. Ghorbani witnesses an event that shakes her to the core, she faces a moral crossroads. While others urge her to remain silent, she makes the courageous decision to take a stand against an oppressive power far greater than herself.