Feature Film · 2027 · Switzerland / Estonia
A depressed gravedigger and a butcher-assassin embark on a wild journey full of chaos, finding an unlikely friendship along the way.
Synopsis
In the remote village of Hoftur, gravedigger Gunnar loses his cemetery due to a questionable sale and, after the mayor's death, must transport a body. On the journey, he collides with Heinz, a butcher and hitman fleeing his own employers. Heinz forces Gunnar to take him along, and an absurd journey through the snowy province begins.
Credits
Director
- Anna Pieri Zuercher, Pietro Zuercher
Cinematographer
- Pietro Zuercher
Writers
- Ziad H. Hamzeh
- Anna Pieri Zuercher
- Pietro Zuercher
Producers
- Michela Pini
- Olga Lamontanara
- Timothy Ross
- Pille Rünk
Companies
- Turnus Film
- Cinedokke
- ORISONO
- Allfilm
About the production
GRAVE is a black comedy about death and friendship. An absurd tragedy about human insignificance in the face of death and how dilettantism can sometimes become an existential force. The film is the feature film debut of Anna Pieri Zuercher and Pietro Zuercher. Anna Pieri gained recognition as the lead in the TATORT series, the most successful crime series in German-speaking television, while Pietro is one of Switzerland's most sought-after cinematographers (DIE NACHBARN VON OBEN, EWIGI LIEBI).
Together with Cinédokke and 1291 Productions, ORISONO previously co-produced the short film CHERUBS by the director duo, which screened at festivals such as Tallinn Black Nights, Fantasia, and BIFFF, was nominated for the Swiss Film Award, and won the Special Jury Award at the Beverly Hills Film Festival. GRAVE is co-produced with Turnus Film and the Estonian production company Allfilm.
GRAVE is fully financed and is currently in pre-production. Filming will commence in January 2027 in the Jura region and Estonia.
Distribution
International titles such as PARASITE and THE LOBSTER demonstrate that audiences respond strongly to high-quality black comedies with artistic merit.