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The Fool or the Holyman

The Fool Or The Holyman
Two siblings set out to unravel the truth behind their father, a man with many faces, Colonel Albert Bachmann — Switzerland’s most controversial Cold War spy. Through three conflicting narratives, they attempt to piece together the life of a man who was seen as a hero, fool and something much darker.
Feature Documentary – in production
Director: Daire Collins
Writers: Daire Collins & Philippe Grob
Production: Catpics, Ard Mhacha Productions
Supported by: Zürcher Filmstiftung, Bundesamt für Kultur, SRG SSR, Screen Ireland
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transfer

Transfer
TRANSFER follows people in Switzerland who regularly send money to their families abroad. What begins as a routine act of money transfer unfolds into stories about identity, responsibility, and belonging. Between their lives here and their ties elsewhere, they embody the tension of living between worlds, while building bridges across borders.
Feature Documentary – in development
Director & Writer: Fabienne Steiner
Supported by: Kanton St. Gallen
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And the living is

And The Living Is
Joan feels she is disappearing. Lola tries everything to fix her mother and gain control of her life again. Enya, who misses Joan the most, keeps her distance.
Feature Film – in development
Writer & Director: Chanelle Eidenbenz
Supported by: Zürcher Filmstiftung, Bundesamt für Kultur
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Theory Of Change

Theory of Change
The protein shift in the food system is an indispensable response to the ecological challenges of our time. In an ambitious project, a group of leading scientists is boldly piloting this transition across the entire value chain in Switzerland. The innovative study, widely recognized in the Western world, has the potential to fundamentally transform global food systems.
Feature Documentary – in development
Writer & Director: Philippe Grob
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cabin

Cabin
At three pivotal moments in her life, Alva navigates three formative relationships – always observed by the unchanged family cabin, a silent witness to her inner transformations. With each relationship, the tension between her idea of love and her feminist beliefs deepens. As the illusion of the “perfect partner” begins to crumble, Alva realizes that even her most intimate connections are shaped by underlying structures of power.
Feature Film – in development
Writer & Director: Chanelle Eidenbenz
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CHAGRIN VALLEY

Chagrin Valley
In a warehouse on the outskirts of Cleveland, residents with dementia of an elderly home live in the crystalized past of 1950s America, an artificial indoor village. The home’s residents and their caregivers share in their struggle and dream of a better future. Chagrin Valley reveals the collective fictions that make up the facade of modern-America, as well as our neglect towards those most in need of care – whether you have dementia or not.
Feature Documentary – in distribution
Writers & Director: Nathalie Berger
Production: Zurich University of the Arts
Festivals: 29e Visions du Réel; Munich, 38. DOK.fest München; 59. Solothurner Filmtage
Awards: Swiss Film Award – Best Graduation Film 2024; Visions du Réel – Prix de la Compétition Nationale 2023
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THE DRIVEN ONES

The Driven Ones
Over the course of seven years, THE DRIVEN ONES follows tomorrow’s business elite: from their studies at the University of St. Gallen in the best master‘s program in the worldwide through to the early stages of their careers.
Feature Documentary – in distribution
Writer & Director: Piet Baumgartner
Production: Catpics
Supported by: Zürcher Filmstiftung, Bundesamt für Kultur, Kanton St. Gallen, SRG SSR, ARD
Festivals: Amsterdam, 36th IDFA International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam.
Awards: Swiss Film Award – Best Documentary 2024 Nomination
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POSTERBOY

posterboy
Julia, a director of an NGO is looking for a new face for the company's campaign. In the process, she is tempted to abuse her position of power. A reflection of contemporary authority in a postcolonial context.
Short Film – in distribution
Writers & Director: Urša Kastelic
Production: Zurich University of the Arts
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Zurich Cocaine Trilogy

Zurich Cocaine Trilogy
One story, one product – three days, three lives standing at the edge of no return. Different choices, bound by the same substance – a mirror of a society in denial.
Feature Film – in development
Writers: Sergio & Pablo Callisaya
Supported by: Kanton Luzern
close

THE FOOL OR THE HOLYMAN

The Fool Or The Holyman
Two siblings set out to unravel the truth behind their father, a man with many faces, Colonel Albert Bachmann — Switzerland’s most controversial Cold War spy. Through three conflicting narratives, they attempt to piece together the life of a man who was seen as a hero, fool and something much darker.
Feature Documentary – in production
Director: Daire Collins
Writers: Daire Collins & Philippe Grob
Production: Catpics, Ard Mhacha Productions
Supported by: Zürcher Filmstiftung, Bundesamt für Kultur, SRG SSR, Screen Ireland
close

And the living is

And The Living Is
Joan feels she is disappearing. Lola tries everything to fix her mother and gain control of her life again. Enya, who misses Joan the most, keeps her distance.
Feature film – in development
Writer & Director: Chanelle Eidenbenz
Supported by: Zürcher Filmstiftung, Bundesamt für Kultur
close

Transfer

Transfer
Transfer follows people in Switzerland who regularly send money to their families abroad. What begins as a routine act of money transfer unfolds into stories about identity, responsibility, and belonging. Between their lives here and their ties elsewhere, they embody the tension of living between worlds, while building bridges across borders.
Feature Documentary – in development
Writer & Director: Fabienne Steiner
Supported by: Kanton St. Gallen
close

CHAGRIN VALLEY

Chagrin Valley
In a warehouse on the outskirts of Cleveland, residents with dementia of an elderly home live in the crystalized past of 1950s America, an artificial indoor village. The home’s residents and their caregivers share in their struggle and dream of a better future. Chagrin Valley reveals the collective fictions that make up the facade of modern-America, as well as our neglect towards those most in need of care – whether you have dementia or not.
Feature Documentary – in distribution
Writers & Director: Nathalie Berger
Production: Zurich University of the Arts
Festivals: Nyon, 29e Visions du Réel; Munich, 38. DOK.fest München; Solothurn, 59. Solothurner Filmtage
Awards: Swiss Film Award – Best Graduation Film 2024; Visions du Réel – Prix de la Compétition Nationale 2023  
close

Cabin

Cabin
At three pivotal moments in her life, Alva navigates three formative relationships – always observed by the unchanged family cabin, a silent witness to her inner transformations. With each relationship, the tension between her idea of love and her feminist beliefs deepens. As the illusion of the “perfect partner” begins to crumble, Alva realizes that even her most intimate connections are shaped by underlying structures of power.
Genre: Drama
Writer & Director: Chanelle Eidenbenz
State: In development
close

THE DRIVEN ONES

The Driven Ones
Over the course of seven years, THE DRIVEN ONES follows tomorrow’s business elite: from their studies at the University of St. Gallen in the best master‘s program in the worldwide through to the early stages of their careers.
Feature Documentary – in distribution
Writers & Director: Piet Baumgartner
Production: Catpics
Supported by: Zürcher Filmstiftung, Bundesamt für Kultur, Kanton St. Gallen, SRG SSR, ARD.
Festivals: Amsterdam, 36th IDFA International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam.
Awards: Swiss Film Award, Best Documentary 2024 (Nomination)
close

Theory Of Change

Theory of Change
The protein shift in the food system is an indispensable response to the ecological challenges of our time. In an ambitious project, a group of leading scientists is boldly piloting this transition across the entire value chain in Switzerland. The innovative study, widely recognized in the Western world, has the potential to fundamentally transform global food systems.
Feature Documentary – in development
Writer & Director: Philippe Grob
close

POSTERBOY

posterboy
Julia, a director of an NGO is looking for a new face for the company's campaign. In the process, she is tempted to abuse her position of power. A reflection of contemporary authority in a postcolonial context.
Short Film – in distribution
Writers & Director: Urša Kastelic
Production: Zurich University of the Arts
close

Zurich Cocaine Trilogy

Zurich Cocaine Trilogy
One story, one product – three days, three lives standing at the edge of no return. Different choices, bound by the same substance – a mirror of a society in denial.
Feature Film – in development
Writers: Sergio & Pablo Callisaya
Supported by: Kanton Luzern

The Friend
Film Atelier

Say hello!

documentary & fiction

development   *   production   *   consulting

documentary & fiction

development  *  production  *  consulting

THE FOOL OR THE HOLYMAN

by Daire Collins

And the living is

by Chanelle Eidenbenz

Transfer

by Fabienne Steiner

Theory Of Change

by Philippe Grob

CHAGRIN VALLEY

by Nathalie Berger

Cabin

by Chanelle Eidenbenz

THE DRIVEN ONES

by Piet Baumgartner

POSTERBOY

by Urša Kastelic

THE FOOL OR THE HOLYMAN

by Daire Collins

And the living is

by Chanelle Eidenbenz

Transfer

by Fabienne Steiner

Theory Of Change

by Philippe Grob

Cabin

by Chanelle Eidenbenz

CHAGRIN VALLEY

by Nathalie Berger

THE DRIVEN ONES

by Piet Baumgartner

POSTERBOY

by Urša Kastelic

Welcome to The Friend Film Atelier. We are a young independent film production company based in Zurich, Switzerland. Led by producer and writer Philippe Grob, we craft compelling arthouse films that captivate audiences worldwide.

At The Friend, we embrace a creative and unique approach, driven by our love for storytelling and crafting unforgettable cinematic atmospheres. We specialize in both documentary and fictional narratives, always prioritizing authenticity and a strong artistic vision. With a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, we aim to make a positive impact on both our industry and the world at large. A friendly and collaborative atmosphere is at the heart of everything we do as we work closely with a diverse community of creatives.

Get in touch with us and join us on our cinematic journey, where we work not only as colleagues but as friends, united by a shared passion for creating exceptional films. Together at The Friend Film Atelier, let’s aspire to push the boundaries of arthouse cinema.

The Friend
Film Atelier

hello[at]thefriend.ch +41 78 824 44 05

Say hello!

Waidstrasse 25
8037 Zurich, Switzerland

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