Hugofilm and Sommerhaus Filmproduktion team up for ‘Pas Ta Maman’

A new chapter in Swiss cinema

Hugofilm has partnered with Sommerhaus Filmproduktion to bring Michèle Flury’s feature debut, “Pas Ta Maman,” to life. This collaboration follows the film’s success at the Locarno Festival, where it won the Locarno Pro Market Breakout Award. The project is set to participate in this year’s Match Me! Forum at the Swiss fest, marking another milestone in its journey.

The journey so far

“Pas Ta Maman” has already made waves in the film industry. It previously participated in Locarno’s Alliance 4 Development and Alphapanda, clinching the Market Breakout Award at the latter. Flury’s talent was recognized early on, with her short film work earning her the Best Swiss Newcomer Award at the Locarno Film Festival in 2022 and the Young Director Award at the Basel Film Awards earlier this year.

A story of resilience and revenge

“Pas Ta Maman” tells the harrowing tale of Mandy, a 24-year-old nanny working for diplomats on the Mediterranean coast. Mandy faces frequent sexual abuse from her employer’s husband and finds no allies among those around her. Driven to the edge, she seeks bloody revenge. The film is a brutal yet playful exploration of abuse against women, sexualization, victimization, and the fight to reclaim one’s power.

For more details, check out the trailer and information sheet.

A powerful narrative

The film’s German producer describes “Pas Ta Maman” as a story that uses contrasting genres to delve into a current and important topic. The narrative is both brutal and playful, offering a unique perspective on the issues of abuse and sexual violence. This film promises to be a gripping psychological drama that will challenge, enthrall, and inspire its audience.

Sommerhaus Filmproduktion’s impressive portfolio

Founded in 2015 by Jochen Laube and Fabian Maubach, Sommerhaus Filmproduktion has an impressive track record. Their credits include Burhan Qurbani’s “Berlin Alexanderplatz,” which won five German Film Awards and a European Film Award, and Katharina Eyssen’s Netflix series “The Empress,” which won best drama series at the 2023 International Emmy Awards. Another notable project is Caroline Link’s “When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit,” which sold over a million admissions and won Best Children’s Film at the German Film Prize in 2019.

Hugofilm Features: A legacy of excellence

Hugofilm Features, founded in 1999, has produced over 50 features. Their notable works include “Vitus,” which won best feature at the 2007 Swiss Film Prize and was Switzerland’s submission for the international feature Oscar race that year. More recently, their 2022 feature “A Piece of Sky” premiered in competition at the Berlinale.

A promising future

Sommerhaus producer Felix Schreiber will be at the Match Me! Forum to discuss the company’s slate of projects in development. He praises Flury’s debut feature, noting that after her Locarno win with her short film “Heartbeat,” she has once again chosen a story from the perspective of a young woman. This time, the narrative is louder, more relentless, and full of energy and zeitgeist.

Schreiber highlights that “Pas Ta Maman” revolves around class differences, the abuse of power, sexual curiosity, sexualized violence, and ultimately, rape and murder. He believes that Flury has created a powerful and electrifying story that will resonate with audiences.

Reaching a wider audience

The team behind “Pas Ta Maman” aims to find a theatrical distributor and a platform that can help distribute the film widely after its theatrical run. Schreiber emphasizes the importance of reaching a broad audience, especially the younger generation, through platforms. He believes that unique, authentic, and relevant stories must be seen by as many people as possible to achieve the relevance they deserve.

Looking ahead

“Pas Ta Maman” is currently finishing development and plans to start shooting in 2025 or early 2026, depending on future partnerships. This film promises to be a significant addition to the landscape of contemporary cinema, offering a powerful narrative that challenges and inspires.

For more information and updates, keep an eye on the trailer and information sheet.

Reflecting on the journey of “Pas Ta Maman,” it’s clear that this film is set to make a lasting impact. As cinema enthusiasts, we eagerly await its release, ready to be challenged and inspired by Mandy’s story.