Strähl

You know the contribution of Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands and other smaller countries to European Cinema. But you certainly haven't seen any recent Swiss made movie, that hit the ranks with critics as well as the public. This seems kind of strange, because Switzerland has an outstanding documentary film making tradition and certainly a strong economy, which could finance even expensive features. But in the last decade or two nothing remarkable from Switzerland came in sight on our movie theater screens. Strähl could be the first feature to signal a new, very different era of films from "Heidiland". On one hand, Strähl presents a rather traditional story of a breakdown in a Cop's career - moving from fighting drug dealers to falling in love with a narcotic. But on this basis it derives it's strengths and high suspense from a witty script, brilliant acting, a dense atmosphere and a very Swiss variety of madness on the streets. So if you don't want to miss the premiere of a - hopefully - new feature production country in Europe, have a look at this (9 out of 10).

Action-packed cop movies are fun in any language, and German is no exception. In fact, the language lends itself quite well to a Dirty Harry-style Swiss narc who likes to stomp ass first and ask questions later. Strahl is an obsessive, angry cop who actually gives a damn about his job. His violent temper and obsession with busting an Armenian drug trafficker get him mixed up in the Zurich underworld deeper than he intended. This familiar and beloved cop-movie plot works great in the able hands of first-time director Manuel Flurin Hendry. (This film was actually his senior project for film school.) The action is fast-paced and fun, and acting kudos go out to Roeland Wiesnekker, who plays Strahl. If this is what director Hendry did in film school, I'll be looking to see what he does after graduation. 4 out of 5.