– Jan-Eric Mack’s debut feature blends social realism and the tension of a thriller in a portrait of systemic precarity in contemporary Switzerland
Anna Schinz in A Happy Family
The Crystal Globe Competition of the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF, 2-11 July) has had its line-up unveiled (see the news), and it includes A Happy Family, the debut feature by Swiss writer-director Jan-Eric Mack. Described as a social drama with thriller elements, the film marks the first Swiss production ever selected in the festival’s main competition.
The movie follows Niki, a single mother struggling to survive in one of the wealthiest societies in the world. Working two jobs and still unable to make ends meet, she sees her fragile life collapse after a fire leads authorities to place her two children in foster care. Forbidden from contacting them, Niki assumes a new identity and begins a risky attempt to stay close to her kids.
The cast is led by Swiss actress Anna Schinz (Goliath, Strangers) as Niki, alongside German actress Julia Jentsch (Prosecution, What Marielle Knows) as Sabine, Bettina Stucky (Bagger Drama, The Divine Order) as Mrs Weber, Michael Neuenschwander (Electric Fields, Of Fish and Men) as Matthias, Martina Apostolova (Phi 1.618) and Alireza Bayram (Late Shift).
Mack directs from a screenplay co-written with Schinz, Nikita Afanasjev and Eva Kienholz, and it explores themes of poverty and social inequality in Switzerland, focusing especially on the precarious situation of single mothers. Mack, trained at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), previously directed the award-winning short Facing Mecca, which won the Student Academy Award and the Swiss Film Award, and was shortlisted for the 90th Academy Awards. He also helmed the third season of the series Wilder and co-directed the successful historical spy series Davos 1917.
Principal photography took place in Switzerland, with Yunus Roy Imer (The Outrun, System Crasher) serving as director of photography. The film is edited by Benjamin Fueter, with music by Thomas Kuratli, sound by Barnaby Hall and Gina Keller, production design by Marie-Claude Lang Brenguier, and costumes by Irene Schweizer.
A Happy Family is being produced by Martin Joss and Peter Reichenbach for Zurich-based C-FILMS AG, in collaboration with DCM and in co-production with SRF Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen and SRG SSR. The film has received support from Zürcher Filmstiftung, Bundesamt für Kultur (BAK), Valais Film Commission, Film Commission Zurich, Focal Stage Pool and Suissimage. Domestic distribution in Switzerland is handled by DCM Film Distribution, with a theatrical release scheduled for the end of January 2027. International sales are managed by Spanish sales agent Bendita Film Sales.
