Matthias Günter

At the peak of his mid-life crisis, Swiss filmmaker Stefan Keller is forced to take on a side job out of financial necessity. Consequently, he finds himself travelling throughout Switzerland as an anonymous youth hostel tester just before Christmas. Thus begins his odyssey: Stefan is in desperate need of a story; he struggles with his failed relationship; and chance acquaintances force him to face the meaning of his existence.

Few places symbolise the dawn of modernity with its expectations and upheavals better than the Jelmoli department store. The director documents the 125-year history from its foundation to its closure at the end of 2024.

This cinematic feature documentary honors the man, thinker, author, and painter Friedrich Dürrenmatt with an intimate memorial.