HEIDI

Genre: Family

Synopsis: Heidi (Emma Bolger) is an orphan girl who is taken by her aunt to live with her elderly Grandfather (Max Von Sydow) in the high Alpine mountains. Grandfather is initially resistant to the idea of looking after Heidi but the pair soon get to know each other and a strong bond quickly develops between them.

When Heidi’s aunt returns the following summer to take Heidi with her to the big city, Heidi is reluctant to go with her and Grandfather is angry to see his new found ‘family’ broken up. But the aunt is adamant that Heidi will go with her since she has promised Heidi as a companion to a sick child named Clara (Jessica Claridge) from a wealthy family with whom the aunt is currying favour. Heidi adapts well to her new ‘family’ despite the stern regime run by the housekeeper, Miss Rottenmeier (Geraldine Chaplin). But after some months, Heidi becomes homesick for the high mountains and her Grandfather. Despite her magical effect on Clara and her family, Heidi is to be returned to her Alpine home on doctor’s advice. She bids farewell to her devoted companion but when she returns ‘home’ Grandfather is still nursing his wounded feelings from when Heidi left. Gradually he melts and accepts Heidi back into his home. Heidi and her Grandfather are delighted when they receive a letter from Clara saying that the entire household will pay them a visit in the mountains in the coming summer. The visit proves most therapeutic for Clara, and Heidi feels that, at last, she has united her two families.

Cast:
- Emma Bolger – for the role of Heidi (“In America”, “Intermission”).

- Max Von Sydow – for the role of Grandfather (“Minority Report”, “Snow Falling on Cedars”, “The Exorcist”).

- Geraldine Chaplin – as Miss Rottenmeier (Uwe Boll’s "Bloodrayne", Jean-Marc Barr’s "Without Love", "A Christmas Carol", "Ghost of Christmas Future" "The Bridge of San Luis Rey", "Hable con Ella", …)

- Diana Rigg ("Avengers, The", "Charles II: The Power & the Passion", "A Good Man in Africa")

- Jessica Claridge –for the role of Clara(“Five Children and It”)


Writer: Brian Finch (“Goodnight Mr. Tom”, “Back Home”)

Director: Paul Marcus (“Imperium: Nero”, “The Magic Act”, “The Break Up”).

Producers:
- Martyn Auty (“A Foreign Field”, “Soul Survivors”, “Gentlemen’s Relish”)

- Christopher Figg (“Greyfriars Bobby”, “The Truth About Love”, “Red Dwarf”, “Dog Soldiers”, “Hellraiser I, II & III”, “Fast Sofa”, “Pasty Faces”).

Exec. Producer:
Michael Heuser (“Ku*”, “Outlanders”, “Kart Racer”, “Hurlyburly”, “Fast Sofa”).

U.S. Distribution: Warner Bros.

Status: Completed / Screening: Olympia 3, May 18 at 18:00

HEIDI qualifies as a “European Work”.
(credits not contractual)