The Little Switzerland
The Little Switzerland (Spanish: La pequeña Suiza) is a 2019 Spanish-Portuguese comedy film directed by Kepa Sojo and starring Maggie Civantos, Jon Plazaola, Ingrid García-Jonsson and Secun de la Rosa.[1] The plot draws inspiration from the Treviño enclave dispute,[2] and comedy films such as Passport to Pimlico (1949),[3] and Welcome Mr. Marshall! (1953).[4]
| The Little Switzerland | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Spanish | La pequeña Suiza |
| Directed by | Kepa Sojo |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Kenneth Oribe |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | eOne Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 86 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | Spanish |
Plot
The plot concerns about a town in Castile and León with a majority of citizens leaning towards joining the Basque Country. Those attempts are frustrated by the opposition of the Junta of Castile and León and the passivity of the Basque Government. A local woman then finds a crypt with the purported remains of William Tell's son Walter and the population ensuingly proceed to embrace a Swiss identity.[5]
Cast
- Pêpê Rapazote as Fernando
- Maggie Civantos as Yolanda
- Ingrid García Jonsson as Nathalie
- Antonio Resines as Pascual
- Karra Elejalde as Peio
- Anabela Teixeira as Heidi
- Kandido Uranga as Añíbarro
- Ramón Barea as Antolín
- Secun de la Rosa as Don Anselmo
- Enrique Villén as Revuelta
- Jon Plazaola as Gorka
- Mikel Losada as Bernabé
- Maribel Salas as Anamari
- Lander Otaola as Iker
- Susana Soleto as Reportera
- Isabel Guardiola as Secretaria suiza
- Iñigo Salinero
Production
A Spanish-Portuguese co-production,[6] the film was produced by Nadie es perfecto alongside Kuttuna Filmak and Stopline Films, with the participation of RTVE.[7] Shooting locations in Álava included Artziniega, Ayala/Aiara, Laudio/Llodio, and Vitoria-Gasteiz.[7]
Release
Distributed by eOne Films,[7] the film was released theatrically in Spain on 26 April 2019.
Reception
According to Jordi Battle Caminal, reviewing for Fotogramas, the best of the film are the supporting characters.[8]
See also
References
- "RTVE.es estrena el trálier de 'La pequeña Suiza'". Corporación de Radio y Televisión Española (in Spanish). 12 March 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
- "La pequeña Suiza, una desternillante comedia inspirada en el condado de Treviño". EITB Euskal Irrati Telebista (in Spanish). 2021-12-28. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- Martínez, Beatriz (25 April 2019). "'La pequeña Suiza': comedia sobre la identidad, sin entidad". El Periódico (in Spanish). Grupo Zeta. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
- Jiménez, Jesús (26 April 2019). "'La pequeña Suiza', Berlanga inspira una comedia sobre los nacionalismos". RTVE.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- Berrueta, Julen (24 April 2018). "El pueblo de Castilla y León que quería ser parte de Euskadi y terminó siendo Suiza". El Español.
- "La pequeña Suiza". San Sebastián International Film Festival. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
- Gómez, Zuriñe (25 April 2019). "La película alavesa "La Pequeña Suiza" se estrena en cines". GasteizHoy.
- Batlle Caminal, Jordi (25 April 2019). "Crítica de 'La pequeña Suiza'". Fotogramas (in Spanish). Hearst Magazines International. Retrieved 6 May 2019.