La Forteresse
Fernand Melgar
2008 - 100 min - HDCam - Couleur - Suisse

For the first time, a camera unrestrictedly penetrates into the universe of a Swiss reception centre for asylum seekers. It presents a human gaze at an austere transition place, where 200 men, women and children, torn between doubt and hope, are awaiting the state's decision on their behalf.
Empathy and distrust punctuate the exchanges between the residents and the staff of the centre in charge of applying the most restrictive asylum law in Europe. With emotion, though also with humour, "La Forteresse" (The Fortress) immerses us into the heart of this daily sorting process of human beings.

Exil | Immigration | Réfugiés | Suisse


Author-Director : Fernand Melgar
Photography : Camille Cottagnoud
Sound : Marc Von Stürler
Editing : Karine Sudan
Delegate Producer : Climage
Broadcasting Co-producer : TSR (Télévision suisse romande)
Broadcasting Co-producer : TSI (Télévision suisse italienne)
Broadcasting Co-producer : ARTE GEIE, SSR - SRG idée suisse
Contribution : Fondation vaudoise pour le cinéma, DFI Section cinéma

Distribution


Distributor : Climage
Distributor : Look Now!
Not commercial Distribution : ADAV
Circulation-Consultation : Musée national de l'Histoire de l'immigration, BPI (Bibliothèque publique d'information)
Disponible au Club du doc

Distinctions

2009 - Images en bibliothèques, Paris (France) : Film soutenu par la Commission nationale de sélection des médiathèques
2008 - RIDM - Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal, Montréal (Canada) : Grand Prix Caméra Stylo ; Prix Montage, Mention spéciale