Nikolaus Geyerhalter’s latest film The Border Fence deals with the refugee crisis from the perspective of regular people.
A pass between Italy and Austria in the middle of Tirol suddenly becomes the scene for a refugee crisis, as a border crossing between the European Union and Turkey is closed in 2016. During World War II, people in the Brenner Pass travelled south, but this time the politicians are expecting a tide of people going northward.
When politicians decide to get prepared for masses of people, container after container of metal fence is delivered to a local train station. A refugee centre is opened in one of the buildings, but no one knows how those to be returned will be transported to Italy.
Interviews filmed in mundane surroundings show the doubts and expectations of regular people. In the midst of mountains, local people fear for their safety and worry about the foundations in their lives: work, culture and relationships. In the end, humanity and encounters work the best, instead of a metal fence.
Susanna Peltonen / Translation: Marko Pyhähuhta
Language: German
Subtitles: English
- Name in Original Language: Die bauliche Maßnahme
- Director: Nikolaus Geyrhalter
- Country: Austria
- Year: 2018
- Length: 112 min
- Age limit: null
- Cinematography: Nikolaus Geyrhalter
- Editing: Emily Artmann, Gernot Grassl
- Production: Markus Glaser, Wolfgang Widerhofer, Michael Kitzberger, Nikolaus Geyrhalter / Nikolaus Geyrhalter Filmproduktion GmbH
Showtimes:
- Cinema Artis, hall 2 : Saturday, 02.02 - 21:30