A Forgotten Man

« Spring 1945, Heinrich Zwygart, Swiss ambassador to Germany flees bombed-out Berlin after eight years of service in the capital of the Reich. This is the end of a dreadful mandate, during which he had to make fatal compromises to preserve the neutrality and security of his country. He made it through the war, but will he survive peace? »

Synopsis

In the spring of 1945 as Nazi Germany collapses, Swiss ambassador Heinrich Zwygart flees bombed-out Berlin after serving eight years in the capital of the Reich. This is the end of a dreadful mandate, during which he had to make fatal compromises to preserve the neutrality and security of his country.

While he tries to reunite with his estranged family in his unscathed home country, the arrival of peace puts Zwygart in a delicate position. How could the Swiss policy, which was more than favorable to Germany, be justified at a time when the Allies and the Russians are liberating Europe and question the behavior of the Swiss Government during the war?

For Switzerland to end on the winning side after the war, someone will have to pay. Haunted by his past, struggling to secure a future, but driven by his ambition Zwygart feels the trap closing in on him.

He made it through the war, but will he survive peace?

Festivals & Awards

  • 18th Zurich Film Festival : Gala Premieres, 2022

Cast

Michael Neuenschwander, Manuela Biedermann, Clea Eden, Yann Philipona, Sabine Timoteo, Peter Wyssbrod, Margherita Schoch, Victor Poltier, Yves Raeber, Simon Romang, Sebastian Krähenbühl, Dominik Gysin, Jeff Burrell

Crew

Script: Laurent Nègre
Cinematography: Diego Dussuel
Sound: David Puntener
Editing: Stefan Kälin
Music: Ladislav Agabekov / Christophe Calpini
Producers: Dan Wechsler, Andreas Roald
Co-producers: Jamal Zeinal-Zade, Giorgio D’Imperio, Michael Graf
Production: Bord Cadre films (CH), Sovereign Films (UK)

Technical Data

Format: DCP / Black & White / 5.1
Runtime: 85′
Released: 2022
Language: German, English, French
Subtitles: English