The Shelter

Synopsis

It is winter at an emergency shelter for the homeless in Lausanne. Every night at the door of this little-known basement facility the same entry ritual takes place, resulting in confrontations which can sometimes turn violent. Those on duty at the shelter have the difficult task of “triaging the poor”: the women and children first, then the men. Although the total capacity at the shelter is 100, only 50 “chosen ones” will be admitted inside and granted a warm meal and a bed. The others know it will be a long night.

Director Biography

Fernand Melgar born in 1961 in Tangiers, Morocco. Joint Swiss and Spanish citizenship. Since 1963 lives in Lausanne. Self-taught. Since 1985 independent director and producer. 2006 Swiss Film Prize, Best Documentary Film for “EXIT, le droit de mourir” (EXIT, The Right To Die). 2012 Swiss Film Prize, Best Documentary Film for “Vol spécial”.