Movies by Ursula Meier

Ursula Meier is a trailblazing French-Swiss filmmaker whose profoundly humanistic and imaginative approach to cinema has made her one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary European cinema. Whether exploring the fragile dynamics of family life in films like "Home" and "Sister," or delving into the complex relationships between individuals and the sociopolitical structures that shape their lives in works like "The Bridges of Sarajevo" and "Pas les flics, pas les noirs, pas les blancs," Meier's singular vision is marked by a keen observational eye, an empathetic understanding of her characters, and a willingness to experiment with form and structure. Meier's films often focus on the marginalized and the overlooked, shining a light on the struggles and resilience of those living on the fringes of society. Her 2012 drama "Sister," for instance, follows a young boy who resorts to petty theft to support his troubled single mother, a performance that earned the film's lead actor, Kacey Mottet Klein, widespread acclaim and the "Birth of an Actor" award. Meier's most recent feature, "The Line" (2023), continues this exploration of societal divides, using the metaphor of a physical barrier to delve into the complexities of identity, belonging, and the human need for connection. Throughout her diverse and acclaimed filmography, Meier has demonstrated a remarkable ability to blend the personal and the political, creating cinematic experiences that are both deeply moving and intellectually provocative. Her unwavering commitment to humanistic storytelling and her willingness to challenge conventional narrative structures have earned her a reputation as one of the most distinctive and compelling voices in contemporary world cinema.