Heidi

Eight-year-old Heidi is a Swiss orphan who grows up among the mountains with her grandfather, a gruff yet kind protector of the valley. When an aunt takes Heidi away from the familiar hills, the girl is dropped into a polished life in Frankfurt, where she becomes a companion to Klara, a young girl living in a grand house and wheelchair. The shift from crisp mountain air to city turmoil unsettles Heidi, who misses the scent of pine and the warm visits from Alpöhi. The film follows her attempts to adapt, the friction between two very different worlds, and the unexpected bonds that help her feel at home again.

Directed by Alain Gsponer this 2015 Heidi reimagines Johanna Spyri's beloved novel for modern families. The screenplay is crafted with Petra Biondina Volpe adapting the classic for the screen while Anuk Steffen leads a compact Swiss cast.

Critics praised the film for its warm tone, accessible storytelling and the way it frames belonging as a choice rather than a place. The themes center on family resilience, the tension between freedom in nature and the comforts of civilization. The performances especially the lead carry a gentle emotional gravity that resonates with both kids and adults.

Visually the movie underscores the Swiss landscape as more than backdrop turning Alpine meadows and dairy farms into characters that shape the mood and the choices characters make. The adaptation respects the period setting while offering a fresh take on friendship, generosity and kindness. It has the appeal of a family film that can spark conversations about home, identity and how simple acts of care can bridge different worlds.

Box office data for this production is not widely published reflecting its status as a modest international release. The film aimed for broad family appeal and found audiences primarily in Europe and beyond.