I fabbricasvizzeri

As an American living in France and working in Switzerland during the early 1980s, I'd often stop at the border and chat with a friendly Swiss customs/immigration officer. One morning, he asked me if I'd seen 'Die Scweizermacher' and, with a smile, recommended it to me. Accepting this as an 'official' and informed recommendation, I soon saw the film. It was in German with the other 3 official languages as subtitles but, because the lead character is played by Emile, the famous circus clown, and the stories within the film are so stereotypical, understanding it is no problem. (The film was shown one year in New York City at the Swiss Cultural Center on lower Broadway but seems not to be known in the US.) Besides the traditional European nationalities being screened for Swiss citizenship, the film fades on an American who bops into the office making the same request. For those who appreciate the Swiss — and who marvel at current US immigration procedures — this film is a gem!

The idea of an object and its creator is important to ascertain their relationship. It is important as a lot is spoken about the creator who is solely responsible for giving life to his creation. It is with this idea in mind that Swiss director Rolf Lyssy decided to shoot an intelligent film about people who are involved in "making Swiss people". One might wonder how people can be made ? The Swissmakers presents a very macho yet safe view about people who recommend names of persons who would be granted Swiss citizenship to become Swiss citizens. As Switzerland is a prosperous nation, certain guidelines have been prepared by Swiss government in order to discipline foreigners/immigrants. One can be sure that if watched with alert eyes, viewers can learn how bureaucracy can meddle with ordinary people's lives. If things are bad for some people then it can make a real mess of their cherished dreams of becoming Swiss citizens. The Swissmakers is more than 38 years old but it continues to exercise tremendous influence on all those who would like to call Switzerland their new home.

I'm a non-Switzy who lives in Switzerland (although not for very long yet), and I am uncertain about what this country is really like. Of course there are all the stereotypes about cleanliness and orderliness and blind adherence to the rules, but then there is the daily reality of what I see here (which isn't as neurotic as you would imagine). I really enjoyed Die Schweizermacher. It was funny and interesting and the characters were likable (except Bodmer, of course, who was so endearingly and reliably unlikeable). The man shooting pigeons and Bodmer going home every night to eat the dinner made by his mother were simple and inconspicuous ironies, and the friendly nature of the other cop (whose name I've forgotten) was a pleasing contrast. I can't help but believe, though, that it was all based in a murky and xenophobic truth about Switzies and that secretly nothing has changed. Aah the Swiss. They're so strange.

For anyone who lives in Switzerland, this is a must-see.

It's true although exaggerated (sometimes !), very funny, touching, and just well made.

It brings to the fore all the foibles of the Swiss, strengths and weaknesses, and it's just a great movie to watch.

It's romantic too !

I highly recommend it to anyone who lives in or has lived in Switzerland, including all Swiss !!!

Emil is wonderful in it too, and I wish he had made more films, he is perfect in this role.

I sometimes have a hard time buying it since it's getting old, but I've found it a few times and given it to friends.

Get your copy now, if you can.

Hilarious with several laugh-out-loud moments, it's a biting satire on a topic that was unknown to me until recently. Simple, unpretentious, even unambitious, but extremely enjoyable, and a time capsule of the 70s.