Maria Brendle Revisits Momentous Swiss Murder Trial in ‘Frieda’s Case’
variety.comEd Meza @edmezavar In her impressive feature film debut, “Frieda’s Case,” German-Swiss director Maria Brendle examines a little-known yet ultimately momentous murder trial in Switzerland.
Based on a true story, the film grapples with themes of shame, morality and the struggle for emancipation as it chronicles the fate of Frieda Keller (Julia Buchmann), a young seamstress in St.
Gallen who, in 1904, is accused of murdering her 5-year-old son Ernstli. “Frieda’s Case” world premieres at the Zurich Film Festival.
Despite the dark subject matter, Brendle sought to tell a captivating story that would engage audiences. “This is the true story of a woman who murdered her own child,” Brendle says. “I asked myself, what kind of person is capable of such an unimaginable act?” Brendle aimed to avoid making the film feel “sad and heavy” by closely following other key characters and developing their relationships, creating a more balanced ensemble drama. “I wanted the audience to truly engage with the movie, to immerse themselves in the characters and the story.” In doing so, Brendle found new opportunities to explore Frieda, a figure about whom so little is actually known.
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