Labyrinth Of Peace

Set in Switzerland in the immediate aftermath of World War Two, Labyrinth Of Peace delves into the murky connections between business, finance and Nazism.

There are three main plot strands that entwine through this six part mini series. The first concerns Johann (Max Hubacher) marrying into the Tobler garment business. He takes over the day to day running of the company from his ailing father in law Alfred Tobler (Urs Bosshardt). His desire to modernise the factory and be a good employer are in conflict with the economic realities of demilitarisation.

The newlywed Klara (Annina Walt) trying to help Jewish orphans makes up the second. She volunteers at a Red Cross facility that houses children rescued from a Nazi death camp. Here she runs into bureaucracy, apathy and antisemitism. Things become complicated by her growing friendship with Herschel (Jan Hrynkiewicz), one of the survivors.

Finally Johann's brother Egon (Dimitri Stapfer) has returned from defending the border. He now works at the Attorney General’s office hunting down escaped Nazis. As Johann introduces the production of synthetic fibres into the business, the question is: where is the finance and technical expertise coming from?

Labyrinth Of Peace is a big budget production, and it shows. The sets and set dressing, the costumes, the cars, everything oozes care and quality. What it also shows is a consistency of writing and direction that is uncommon in TV series. All six episodes were written by Petra Biondina Volpe (The Divine Order) and directed by Mike Schaerer. Schaerer makes excellent use of the stunning Swiss countryside. This should be watched on a big screen. All the lead actors acquit themselves well, as do those in supporting rolls and bit parts, which all goes to give the show an immersive feel.

It takes many years before people start to have a national conversation about the darker parts of their countries' history. Labyrinth Of Peace is part of that for Switzerland. Whether through willful ignorance, collusion or collaboration, Switzerland made a lot of money out of the Nazi regime. But that conversation should be international, because every country has committed or assisted atrocity: from slavery to genocide; from Circassia to Myanmar.

Labyrinth Of Peace is currently screening on ChaiFlicks.