Brunaupark
Synopsis
Over 200 apartments in Brunaupark, Zurich, face demolition as residents fight against plans from Crédit Suisse's pension fund for new developments.
Synopsis
In Brunaupark, Zurich, residents face the imminent loss of over 200 apartments as Crédit Suisse's pension fund plans to demolish their homes for new developments. Filmmakers Felix Hergert and Dominik Zietlow document the community's resistance against this urban transformation. Set in 2024, the film captures the solidarity among residents as they confront the challenges of a housing crisis and fight to protect their neighborhood from profit-driven interests.
What Critics Say
This heartfelt film bears witness to a defiant community, forms a vital piece of oral history and shows the resilience of those determined to stay on.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Fits within the canon of German-language documentaries about Cold War tower block decline, alongside "Tscharniblues II" and "27 Storeys"[13]
- Directors demonstrate empathy and patience in giving voice to people often deprived of one[14]
- Documents residents' determination to resist what demolition implies: "the impossibility of finding a new affordable home in the context of a housing crisis"[15]
- Captures "rare glimpses of an everyday-ness, which is always there but hard get behind a camera"[16]
Did You Know
- The production budget was estimated at CHF 400,000[7]
- This marks Dominik Zietlow's first feature-length documentary film[8]
- The directors are part of the Sabotage Collective from Zürich[9]
Perfect For
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brunaupark about?
Brunaupark follows the residents of a 405-apartment housing complex in Zurich over three years as they face eviction after Crédit Suisse's pension fund announces plans to demolish their recently renovated homes for a new property development. The documentary captures the community's resistance and the human cost of property speculation during a housing crisis.
Who directed Brunaupark?
Brunaupark was directed by Felix Hergert and Dominik Zietlow, members of the Sabotage Collective from Zürich. It is Dominik Zietlow's first feature-length documentary.
What awards has Brunaupark won?
Brunaupark won the Jury Prize in the National Competition at Visions du Réel 2024 (awarded by SRG SSR, CHF 15,000), the Nachwuchspreis des Landes NRW at the 48th Duisburger Filmwoche 2024, and the Jury Award at the 26th Ismailia International Film Festival for Documentary & Short Films in 2025. It was also selected for the Solothurner Filmtage and the Kasseler Dokumentarfilm- & Videofest.
Who is Ciccio in Brunaupark?
Ciccio is a pizza maker who has operated a restaurant in the Brunaupark complex for 28 years. He serves as the symbolic heart of the neighborhood and a central character in the documentary, representing the deep community roots threatened by the demolition plans.
Where was Brunaupark filmed?
The documentary was filmed at the Brunaupark housing complex in Zürich, Switzerland. The complex consists of 405 apartments that were recently renovated but slated for demolition. Filming took place over three years, capturing the gradual transformation of the community.
Awards & Festivals
What are people saying?
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