Die kleine Niederdorfoper

Mental Cruelty

On a summer morning, the opening of the trial in the Zurich District Court is scheduled for 8 a.m. The case of Marlene Faber and Nick Merk's divorce is being heard on the grounds of "mental cruelty." The couple is waiting outside the courtroom for their divorce and is reliving their marriage: from the honeymoon to the first quarrels and the end.

The 42nd Heaven

Musical comedy about a marriage registrar.

Exit Oerlikon

When Hans looks back, he must say: That was a good life! He saw the world, loved his wife Martha and yes, two, three things went wrong. But that doesn't need to be talked about. And now? Two years ago Martha died, Hans can barely manage his daily routine anymore, and after a visit to the vet his beloved dog Miller doesn't return home. Hans is tired. Basically he can't be bothered anymore. He wants to die. But one doesn't talk about this. At best maybe with Willi, his friend. He trusts in him, he considers him as his ally, who should help him implement his plan...

De grotzepuur

Old Grotzenbauer runs an industrial livestock and chicken farm on his property. His son and wife are shocked by the animal cruelty that comes with profit-maximized animal husbandry. Grotzenbauer himself becomes increasingly dependent on an unscrupulous feed supplier. And then the ventilation system in the barn breaks down...

Motel

Liebe macht Erfinderisch

Cab driver Hugo Meier is married to two women and lives at two addresses. He therefore lives according to a precise timetable. This has worked well so far. However, Hugo has an accident and can't get home. The two worried wives contact their police stations and ask for help. Two officers immediately do their duty and investigate. Hugo is now in dire need of help. With the not entirely voluntary help of his friend and neighbor Oskar Stöckli, Hugo leads the officers and the wives into a labyrinth of fantastic excuses and ludicrous lies. Harmless wives are transformed into hysterical bitches and well-meaning friends into hot-blooded, gay seducers.

Afternoon

A family spends three summer days in a beautiful lake mansion close to Berlin. Together with her new lover, Irene visits her brother Alex, who still inhabits the house with Irene's writer son Konstantin. Konstantin's girl-friend pops in, too, and all of them drift away from each other more and more.

Strauss: Salome

The story is set at the beginning of the Christian era on a large terrace of Herod’s palace, during the reign of Herod Antipas. At night, on a terrace of the palace, Salome, Herod’s stepdaughter, is gazed at passionately by Narraboth, captain of the guard. Jochanaan, a prophet, is imprisoned in a cistern for having slandered Herod. He proclaims the coming of Jesus, but his message is met with incomprehension by the guards. Salome hears the prophet. She manages to convince the guards to bring Jochanaan out so she can see him. Both fascinated and frightened by his prophecies, Salome falls passionately in love with this man. Richard Strauss’s opera at the 2018 Salzburg Festival, directed by Romeo Castellucci at the Felsenreitschule. In her debut in the title role, Asmik Grigorian distinguished herself with her talents as a singer and actress.

Der Fall

In this Swiss film noir a private investigator stumbles onto a case involving blackmail and an oversexed, under-aged girl. He finds the girl, and, tragically, becomes involved with her.

Happy New Year

Five stories, all taking place on New Year's Eve in Zurich, Switzerland.

Mel's Block

Today, Mel (34) belongs to the winners in life, but that wasn’t always the case. The thought of her own past so upsets the self-made millionaire’s that she summarily buys the large panel systems-building where she grew up. She would like to come to terms with her history, but the past is a stubborn beast.

Es Joghurt Für Zwei

Eddie Fischer is in a clinic to lose weight. For five days he is given nothing but lemon juice and mineral water. But on the sixth day he is supposed to be given yoghurt and crispbread, but just as he is making his emergency calls, the criminal Charlie Krumm enters and threatens Eddie Fischer, as he himself is not on a completely legal path. Eddie Fischer has no choice but to grant the criminal asylum. But when the police arrive, it turns into chaos and the two of them have to come up with a few ideas to avoid being found out.

Champions

Gigi Poltera's best days are behind him – just like "his" EHC Arosa. While the hockey club is facing bankruptcy and forced relegation, the soon-to-be 50-year-old is working his way through the valley as a postman. Twenty years ago, he was one of the stars in Schanfigg – as part of the championship team of the local skating club. The stars of yesteryear are now called upon to fill the gaps in the team. Gigi's friend Sturzi decides to make a comeback and persuades his former teammates, who have put on weight, such as the village priest, to join him. Gigi also digs out his skates in the hope of winning back his ex-wife Jenny and impressing his son, who is considered a talented goalie.

Will You Marry Us?

Rahel Hubli is employed as a civil registrar. She hasn't believed in the so-called "love of her life" in ages. But when a childhood friend, Ben, suddenly turns up, Rahel recalls again what it felt like to be in love. And that leads to even more problems, because Rahel is already married. And Ben would like to get married: by Rahel

Scho Wieder Sunntig

Every Sunday, Stämpfli receives a visit from his daughter Julia and son-in-law Peter. And every Sunday, the grandfather is told that this is an exhausting, long journey, so the visit can only be very short. It's understandable that these obligatory visits are a rather sad experience for the old man.

Der Pantoffelheld

Love and friendship, lies and betrayal - comedies often deal with existential themes. But not always. Sometimes everyday life is enough to pick up an audience and entertain them. The audience suddenly sees themselves as experts who can give an informed opinion on what is happening on stage: In the case of "Pantoffelheld" from 1983, it was probably primarily housewives, ironing men were rather the exception back then. Among them was the newly minted househusband Daniel, who struggles with an ironing board and creased jeans. Paul Bühlmann as his buddy Georges does a much more confident job.

Dancer in the Dark

Selma, a Czech immigrant on the verge of blindness, struggles to make ends meet for herself and her son, who has inherited the same genetic disorder and will suffer the same fate without an expensive operation. When life gets too difficult, Selma learns to cope through her love of musicals, dreaming up little numbers to the rhythmic beats of her surroundings.

Irma la Douce

When a recently fired policeman falls in love with a French prostitute, he doesn't want her to be with other men, so he creates an alter-ego in order to become her only customer.

Eastern Promises

A Russian teenager living in London dies during childbirth but leaves clues in her diary that could tie her child to a rape involving a violent Russian mob family.

The Young Girls of Rochefort

In the seaside town of Rochefort, twin sisters Delphine and Solange dream of love and artistic fulfillment beyond their quiet lives. As sailors, artists, musicians, and chance visitors pass through town during a weekend fair, a web of near-misses and romantic longing brings ideal partners tantalizingly close—without their realizing it.

Chicago

Murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago.

Trading Places

A snobbish investor and a wily street con-artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.

Ice

Contemporary Russia. Nadya gives up her dream of becoming a champion figure skater when she is hospitalized with an injury. But then she meets Sasha, a hockey player, who decides to teach her to believe in herself and her dream again.

West Side Story

In Manhattan’s Upper West Side, rival gangs of Polish-Americans and newly arrived Puerto Ricans clash for control of the neighborhood, even as two young members from opposite sides fall dangerously in love.

Black Mass

The true story of Whitey Bulger, the brother of a state senator and the most infamous violent criminal in the history of South Boston, who became an FBI informant to take down a Mafia family invading his turf.

Down by Law

A disc jockey, a pimp and an Italian tourist escape from jail in New Orleans.