Black and white humour in Switzerland

February 9, 2012, 1 Comment

It’s a funny, silent, black-and-white film that’s delighting audiences in Switzerland. No, I’m not talking about The Artist but Salty Times, the short Swiss film that comes on just before the main feature in cinemas here. In case you’re not lucky enough to live in Switzerland, or shockingly have yet to go and see The Artist (definitely worth it), then you can watch Salty Times here instead of on the big screen.

What I love about it is that it was filmed in the Grandhotel Giessbach, pictured above beside Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland, and the Hotel Belle Epoque in Bern itself. Two beautiful hotels that have kept that wonderful 19th century feel to them. I was lucky enough to stay one night in the Grandhotel Giessbach last summer: arriving by paddle-steamer, taking Switzerland’s oldest working funicular up to the hotel, walking round behind the crashing waterfall, watching the sunset over the lake, and enjoying the best service I’ve ever had in Switzerland. And no bar singers trying to take advantage of me!

Salty Times was directed by Stefan Eichenberger and came second in the 2011 Swiss Hotel Film Awards. Yes, there is such a competition! All 20 finalists were short films set in Swiss hotels, hence the name of the prize. See what happens when you go to the cinema in Switzerland: you discover a whole new cultural dimension. You can see the winner, and all the other finalists, on the website. They may not be showered in Oscar nominations but ones like Salty Times show that Swiss film-makers at least have a sense of humour.

Thank you to the Swiss Hotel Film Awards for letting me include the video of Salty Times in this post, so that all you readers outside Switzerland have a chance to see it.