The Foster Boy

The Foster Boy

2011 · 103 min · DE · 7.4 (33 votes)
Dir. Markus Imboden · Starring Katja Riemann, Stefan Kurt, Maximilian Simonischek, Max Hubacher, Lisa Brand, Miriam Stein · Music Benedikt Jeger
Drama

Switzerland, 1955. The young orphan Max is sent as a foster child and contracted to work for the Bösiger family who lives on a farm. His foster parents treat him like a workhorse while their son seizes every opportunity to humiliate him. Playing the accordion is the one thing that is entirely his. But when the new teacher stands up for Max, it only makes a bad situation much worse. The only thing preserving his will to survive is his friendship with Berteli, who was also taken on to work at the farm. Max dreams of Argentina with her: a fantasy world, where allegedly even hayforks are made of silver.

VIBE

A stark, unflinching look at a child's endurance against relentless cruelty. It's a heavy, yet ultimately hopeful, portrayal of finding solace in small moments and human connection amidst profound hardship.

heartbreakingoppressiveresilientmelancholicslow-burnkitchen sink realismperiod dramasocial commentarychildhood traumaresiliencehopefriendship
child abuseorphan
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