Sennentuntschi

Sennentuntschi is a 2010 Swiss film written and directed by Michael Steiner. It is based on an eponymous Alpine fable. The film premiered at the 2010 Zurich Film Festival.[1]

Sennentuntschi
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMichael Steiner
Produced by
  • Simone Häberling
  • Bruno Seemann
Screenplay by
  • Michael Steiner
  • Michael Sauter
  • Stefanie Japp
Based onSukkubus - den Teufel im Leib (1989 film)
Starring
CinematographyPascal Walder
Edited byUeli Christen
Release date
  • September 23, 2010 (2010-09-23) (Zurich)
CountrySwitzerland, Austria
LanguageSwiss German

Plot

1975, Grison Alps, Switzerland. A young priest is found hanged in a church tower. Shortly after the event, a mysterious girl appears in the village. Due to hostility she flees up into the mountains.

Lonely Alpine herdsmen Erwin and Albert are joined by a third man, Martin. During a long night while being drunk and high on absinthe, Albert makes a doll out of a broom and hay, while Erwin tells Martin the story about Sennentuntschi. In the story, three men make such a doll, while the devil takes pity upon them and makes it come to life. On the next day, an actual girl appears in their lodge. Erwin warns Martin about the ending of the story, in which Sennentuntschi kills all three men, but they both rape her anyway. The girl takes revenge by slaughtering all the goats and killing Erwin, Albert dies in a fire by accident and Martin due to blood poisoning, as he was bitten by the girl during rape.

Meanwhile, in the village, local (older) priest instigates parishioners against the unknown girl, calling her a witch, bearer of evil and responsible for the recent death of a new-born. He supports his theory by a photograph from 1950, showing a young woman that resembles the girl. Police officer Reusch is the only one who keeps reason, therefore clashing with the villagers. He attempts to take the girl away, but is ambushed by the villagers. The girl however escapes. Reusch keeps investigating and finds out that the woman from the photograph the girl's mother, who was impregnated by the priest who killed her and kept their daughter in captivity since birth. It is revealed that the young priest did not commit suicide but was killed in a fight during girl's escape. Reusch arrests and imprisons the priest and goes into the mountains, searching for the girl.

Reusch finds the girl alive and well in the lodge, however days after the deadly events. The girl made dolls out of men's skins, just like also told in the fable, which made Reusch sick and angry with her. She runs away with Reusch following her, only to pursue her so far that she falls in a ravine. He goes after her and finds skinned corpses of herdsmen, as well as her body. Feeling responsible he takes his own life.

Cast
  • Roxane Mesquida as Sennentuntschi
  • Andrea Zogg as Erwin
  • Carlos Leal as Martin
  • Joel Basman as Albert
  • Nicholas Ofczarek as Sebastian Reusch
  • Hanspeter Müller-Drossaart as Notter
  • Ueli Jäggi as Pfarrer Salis
  • Peter Jecklin as Dr. Zingg
  • Daniel Rohr as Bauer Stähli
  • Rebecca Indermaur as Theres

Release

Home media

Sennentuntschi was released on DVD and Blu-ray by Invincible Pictures on November 19, 2013.[2]

Reception

Critical response

Peter Martin of Screen Anarchy stated that, while the film's narrative was occasionally incoherant, Mesquida's performance and cinematography made up for it.[3] Adrian Halen from HorrorNews.net Halen praised the film's writing, and third act, writing, "Sennentuntschi is rooted in a horror/mystery genre premise that actually takes a direction different from many films of it’s genre".[4] Brad McHargue of Bloody Disgusting gave the film a mostly positive review, commending the performances (particularly Mesquida's), cinematography, soundtrack, and mounting tension, while criticizing the disjointed nature, and confusing ending.[5]

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References
  1. ""Sennentuntschi" as opening film". Zurich Film Festival. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  2. "Sennentuntschi (2010) - Michael Steiner". Allmovie.com. Allmovie. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  3. Martin, Pater. "Fantastic Fest 2011: Sennentuntschi: Curse of the Alps Review". ScreenAnarchy.com. Screen Anarchy. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  4. Halen, Adrian. "Film Review: Sennentuntschi: Curse of the Alps (2010)". HorrorNews.net. HorrorNews. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  5. McHargue, Brad. "Sennentuntschi: Curse of the Alps". BloodyDisgusting.com. Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
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