Zürcher Tagebuch

Zurich-based director Stefan Haupt was inspired to make an essayistic documentary film about his home town when he realised that the ‘middle of life’ was over. Diary-like in its structure, Haupt meanders through the city’s districts, especially District 5 where he lives, to fashion a personal film that includes his children and parents. That is not to say that this is a personality show, on the contrary: Haupt allows friends, companions and politicians, like National Councillor Jacqueline Badran and the journalist Hansi Voigt, to reflect upon topics like land ownership and the financial crisis. The film records the city’s pulse and captures such events as the climate youth demos and the women's strike, with which many identify. Teeming with atmospheric imagery, Zürcher Tagebuch is a declaration of love to Zurich. (Zurich Film Festival)