International Competition

NEMESIS

• Director: Thomas Imbach
• SWITZERLAND / 2020 / DCP / Colour / 131’ / English, German; Turkish s.t., English s.t.

• Screenplay: Thomas Imbach
• Director of Photography: Thomas Imbach
• Editing: Thomas Imbach, David Charap
• Music: Lukas Langenegger, KALI Trio
• Producer: Thomas Imbach, Andrea Staka, Flora Grolitsch
• Production Co.: Okofilm Productions, Bachim Film
• World Sales: Okofilm Productions

2021 Istanbul Special Jury Prize

2020 IDFA Best Cinematography

2020 Zurich Best Documentary

Shot entirely from his window, filmmaker Thomas Imbach has observed the demolition of Zurich’s distinctive railroad freight station Aussersihl and the construction site for over seven years––a process he calls an “act of architectural vandalism.” The Aussersihl station was built in 1897, but 125 years later, this symbol of international exchange and movement is making way for control, isolation and national security. A new Justice and Police Centre is planned to rise in its place, designed to accommodate people awaiting deportation. Mostly randomly and instinctively, and occasionally in a planned manner, Imbach observed the seven-year process and restless movement from his window to the demolition, the construction, and a fox, along with testimonies of newly arrived immigrants. Having had its international premiere at the IDFA in November 2020, Nemesis is shot on 35 mm and stylistically moves between fiction and an experimental form of documentary.

This film was a Meetings on the Bridge participant.