IT
| Section | |
|---|---|
| Original Title | Mein Freund Barry |
| Italian Title | Il Mio Amico Barry |
| English Title | BARRY & ME |
| Movie Type | |
| Genre | |
| Production Year | 2026 |
| Director | |
| Cast | Alma Büchenbacher, Christoph Gaugler, End Heuberger, Lino Good, Luc Roth, Mael Gallati, Max Hubacher, Maxim Kaempf, Orell Bergkraut, Paco von Wyss, Yousef Siweid |
| Country | Germany, Switzerland |
| Movie Length | 97' |
| Screenplay | |
| Director of Photography | |
| Editor | |
| Music | Fabian Römer |
| Casting | Nora Leibundgut |
| Costume Designer | Inge Stolterfoht |
| Makeup | Marc Hollenstein, Miriam Blank |
| Production Designer | Thorsten Sabel |
| Sound Designer | Michael Schlömer |
| Produced by | Marcel Wolfisberg |
| Production | |
| Festival Contact | |
| International Distribution | |
| Italian Distribution | Bim Distribuzione (Italy) – www.bimfilm.com |
Barry & Me
At the end of the 18th century, in the snowy and picturesque Swiss Alps, twelve-year-old Georg finds himself stranded with monks on the Great St. Bernard Pass after being abandoned in a mountain infirmary. Everything is new to the boy in this cold and silent place, but Georg soon discovers it is full of unexpected wonders. When Georg rescues a seemingly doomed St. Bernard puppy and secretly raises him, an unbreakable bond develops between him and the dog, whom he names Barry. Together, they experience unforgettable, yet also difficult, moments. When the monks discover Georg’s intelligence, they offer him a precious opportunity to study, arousing the dangerous envy of a wealthy student who will do everything he can to make Georg and Barry’s lives a living hell.
Markus Welter was born in Bonn in 1968, but has been living in Zurich since 1999. He has worked as a commercial film director and has edited numerous feature and TV productions, including STRÄHL, HANDYMAN, TATORT: SATISFACTION, and the documentary SIFFERT: LIVE FAST – DIE YOUNG.
NIGHT RUSH (2009), his feature directorial debut, was screened at the Max Ophüls Preis Film Festival and was nominated for the Golden Eye Award at the Zurich Film Festival. His subsequent directorial works include ONE WAY TRIP 3D and the theatrical sequel to the German series TATORT: KLEINE PRINZEN. Markus also co-developed and directed the hit Swiss television series THE UNDERTAKER (winner of the Prix Walo). His latest feature film, BARRY AND ME (2026), is his most recent work.
Director’s Note
BARRY AND ME is the origin story of the Saint Bernards, told as a great adventure for the whole family. Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Great St. Bernard Pass, the film follows Georg, a twelve-year-old boy who, at the end of the 18th century, crosses the Swiss Alps with his older brother to reach Italy in search of a better future.
When Georg becomes stranded at the hospice on the mountain pass, he discovers a new world of monks, mountains, and solidarity. There, he rescues a small puppy, and a special friendship grows between them. From this bond emerges the story of the Saint Bernard dogs, who would later become a symbol of courage, loyalty, and rescue in the Alps.
At the heart of the film, for me, is the journey of a young man learning to overcome his limits, to trust others, and to find his place in the world. The Alpine landscape is much more than a simple setting: it represents adventure, freedom, and the power of nature.
BARRY AND ME is a touching and hopeful family film that explores themes of friendship, trust, and solidarity.
