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Classic Swiss novel lights up the silver screen

Heidi, the most popular Swiss book ever written, is experiencing yet another revival with a new film starring world-famous actor, Bruno Ganz. (SRF/swissinfo.ch)

The children’s classic, written by Swiss author Johanna Spyri in 1881, tells how the young orphan, Heidi, is sent to live with her grumpy grandfather in the Swiss Alps, where they learn to love each other. Heidi befriends a local goatherd named Peter.

The book has been adapted dozens of times for film and television. The latest German-labguage version comes from the French production company StudioCanal and stars fledgling Swiss actors Anuk Steffen and Quirin Agrippi as Heidi and Peter. Bruno Ganz, also Swiss, plays the grandfather. He is is known for his roles in “Wings of Desire”, “Downfall” and “The Reader”.

Swiss Public Television went on location in Graubünden to find out how the main characters were getting on.

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR