What was meant to be a restful vacation in the mountains becomes a struggle for survival in this white-knuckle exploration of fatherhood and family dynamics. Eager to strengthen his bond with his girlfriend Lea’s eight-year-old son Tristan, Aaron invites the two on a camping trip in the Three Peaks region of the Italian Dolomites. Amid the beautiful but bleak surroundings, the three attempt to navigate their roles within the new familial unit. When Aaron’s efforts to get closer to Tristan appear increasingly in vain, he takes the boy on a hiking trip where constantly shifting allegiances and power dynamics reach a breaking point.

Director Jan Zabeil’s taut family drama cleverly juxtaposes its breathtaking locations—thick fog rolling through the desolate, snow-capped mountains that resemble gargantuan teeth—with the stark emotional landscapes of its characters. Featuring Academy Award®-nominee Bérénice Bejo in yet another fiercely complex performance.

Winner: Piazza Grande, Locarno

In competition for the New Voices New Visions Award.