Na sončni strani Alp

(On the Sunny Side of the Alps)
by Janez Burger
15', 35 mm, Slovenia, 2007

Slovenia: a marvelous Alpine country where happiness, joy, understanding, and tolerance reign; where a neighbor is always ready to help his neighbor; where birds sing, balconies are filled with red flowers, and inviting aromas waft from the kitchens. The sun shines every day, on the landscape and in the hearts of the people, so much that it seems Slovenia is the sunniest country in the world, even more so than countries in Africa. This is how the tourist bureau of Slovenia tries to present the country. But recent facts in the news portray a much darker image, that of a country where racism and xenophobia prevail and where politicians, instead of impeding it, take advantage of this intolerance by using populist rhetoric to build a new consensus. Inserted into this context is a little story of two special Slovene families who live in an idyllic Alpine world, until one of them buys a new car. Yet, to be true mountain dwellers, a new car isn’t enough. One must climb to the top of a mountain and…

Janez Burger
Janez Burger was born in 1965 in Slovenia, where he lives and works. He studied directing at the FAMU in Prague, earning a diploma in 1996. In 1997 he founded the Burgerteater theatre company and in 2003 the production company Staragara. His films have won prizes in prestigious European film festivals.