Bern filmmaker up for an Oscar
A film by a Bern-based director has been nominated for an Oscar at the 81st Academy Awards to take place next month in Los Angeles.
Reto Caffi will be mingling with the stars in Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre on February 22, when he will find out whether his movie, “Auf der Strecke” (On the Line), is worthy of an Oscar for Best Short Film (Live Action).
Caffi, 37, produced the 30-minute film while studying at art school in Cologne, Germany. Filmed in Swiss German, it tells the story of a department store security guard who must wrestle with his conscience.
The film has already proven to be Switzerland’s most decorated film of recent years. It has won 32 prizes worth SFr60,000 ($53,000) at minor festivals from Japan to New York.
Caffi has won more than 50 prizes in all for his work, including the Swiss Film Prize of 2008. This is his first Oscar nomination.
“Auf der Strecke” is one of five films facing off in the short film category.
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