Film recommendations for May

The series of talks “Art in Conflict” at the Gessnerallee is a monthly programme dedicated to artistic creation in crisis zones. In May, the focus is on the work of the multi-award-winning Swiss director Nicole Vögele. In her latest documentary, “The Landscape and the Fury” (2024), she paints a vivid picture of everyday life in Ravnice, north-western Bosnia – a region still scarred by landmines from the Bosnian War and situated on Europe’s external border. Vögele will present her poetic essay film in person and, following the screening, offer insights into her working methods.

Queer themes are nothing new in cinema. However, in the 1990s, queer filmmaking experienced a veritable renaissance, which is often referred to as ‘New Queer Cinema’. In Switzerland, too, queer perspectives increasingly found their way onto the big screen. Examples of this include “Bar jeder Frau” (1991) by Katrin Barben and “Elle pour elle” (1993) by Conny Scherrer. Both works offer insights into the lesbian scene of the time and document the community’s subcultural meeting places. “Bleifrei 95” (2025) continues this tradition by once again focusing on expressions of queer and lesbian life. All three films can be seen at the Xenix cinema as part of the programme focus «Queer Film History Switzerland?». Director Conny Scherrer will be in attendance on 8 May.

The Videoex Festival is regarded as Switzerland’s leading platform for experimental film and video art. Since the late 1990s, the festival has consistently focused on works that go beyond traditional narrative, offering filmmakers, video artists, curators and their audiences a space for exchange on visual perception, aesthetic strategies and new technological possibilities. The 28th edition once again brings a packed programme of international and Swiss competitions, retrospectives and thematic focuses to Zurich. The film programme is complemented by live performances, workshops and discussions.

Traumatic experiences often lead to withdrawal and isolation – and this is certainly the case for Agnes (Eva Victor), a young academic. Following an assault, she lives in seclusion until she slowly finds her way back into life. This is the story told in the impressive indie debut “Sorry Baby” (2025), in which Eva Victor both directed and played the lead role. The tragicomedy explores themes such as loneliness, healing, friendship and self-discovery – and thus ties in thematically with the exhibition “only the lonely – Interactions of Solitude” at the Helmhaus. In collaboration with the museum, the film at the Xenix cinema, accompanied by an introduction by co-curator Cristiana Contu.