Any movie-goer who enjoys seeing quality foreign films won't want to miss this award-winning 2006 Swiss film, Vitus, directed by well-known filmmaker, Fredi M. Murer.

In this both heartwarming and engaging drama from Switzerland, a child prodigy, Vitus, finds a unique way of dealing with being different. With an exceptionally high IQ, a voracious appetite for knowledge, and a preternatural gift at playing the piano, he finds it hard to fit in with his peers. While his parents (Julika Jenkins and Urs Jucker) begin to anticipate a brilliant future for him as a classical pianist, the daily pressure of hours of musical practice, his over-protective but well-meaning mother and his father's precarious financial situation lead the boy to seek refuge at his eccentric, but understanding, grandfather's house, played by veteran Swiss actor, Bruno Ganz. Vitus and his grandfather's shared love of flying, mischief and adventure offers Vitus an opportunity at a normal childhood---something the burden of his talent had previously prevented him from having. In an interesting twist, Vitus devises another way to find the normalcy he so desperately seeks. Playing Vitus at age 12, Teo Gheorghiu, himself a real-life piano prodigy, heightens the sense of realism in the film, displaying his own incredible talent.

"Vitus" was Switzerland's official 2006 Academy Awards entry, official selection of the Berlin Film Festival, winner of Los Angeles' AFI Film Festival Audience Award, and winner of the Best Film Award in the 2007 Schweizer Filmpreis (Swiss Film Prize). It also won awards at the Chicago International Film Festival and the new Rome International Film Festival.

While the film is suitable for all ages, it is primarily in Swiss-German and English subtitles require reading ability. Although there is no admission fee, free-will donations will be accepted. Movie popcorn and beverages will also be available.

More information on other programs and events of Turner Hall's 2008 Swiss Heritage Series is available here.