THE SHELTER (L'abri, 2014)
Switzerland. Direction: Fernand Melgar. Production: Fernand Melgar / Climage, Radio Télévision Suisse – SRG SSR. Photography: Fernand Melgar. Edition: Karine Sudan. Running time: 101 min
LANGUAGE: French / SUBTITLES: Spanish, English
Winter in an emergency shelter for the homeless in Lausanne. At the entrance to this hidden bunker the same dramatic ritual repeats itself every night, sometimes leading to violent confrontations. The guards have the difficult task of “choosing the poor”: women and children first, men later if there’s space. Although the shelter is meant for 100 people, there is only room for 50. There they receive a hot meal and a bed. Those who don’t get in know that the night will be long.
New documentary by the Swiss director Fernand Melgar, helmer of The Fortress (2008) and Special Flight (2011), screened at previous editions.
