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Lucky Devils

From the streets to the circus – a magical spectacle.
In the fairytale city of St. Petersburg, 8,500 children live on the streets but the innovative circus Upsala and its director Larissa have decided to give some of those children a chance to leave all that behind them.
“Lucky Devils” takes us on a journey from the Russian slums to the big top’s lights and the joys of a tour to Switzerland, following the half-orphan Danja, who discovers the pleasure of playing and performing, the street kid Mischa, who learns the importance of being responsible and helping others, and restless Igor, who’s trying to grow up with a single mother unable to cope with her four children. They’re surrounded by the kindness of the Swiss clown Gardi Hutter, who shares her dreams with them all.

  • Verena Endtner
    Director
  • ALOCO GmbH
    Producer
  • Loredana Cristelli
    Cut
  • Dan Riesen
    Sound
  • Verena Endtner
    Camera
  • Jan Galega Brönnimann
    Score
  • Peter von Siebenthal
    Sound Design
  • Dan Riesen
    Graphics
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Glückspilze
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Completion Date:
    October 1, 2014
  • Country of Origin:
    Switzerland
  • Country of Filming:
    Russian Federation
  • Language:
    Russian, Swiss German
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Verena Endtner

Verena Endtner studied environmental science at the University of Bern from 1992 to 1997, which she completed with a master's degree in biology, specializing in air hygiene. After working in a Bank for a year she started her career in directing in 2002 at the London International Film School. After London she moved to Canada to study at the famous Vancouver Film School, where she received her degree in 2005. On returning to Switzerland she worked for different TV stations and started directing her own films.
As a documentary filmmaker, Endtner has completed various feature films, such as «Glückspilze» (2014, Nyon, Giffoni Amnesty International Award), «Von der Rolle» (2019) and «The Beauty of the Beasts» (2019).
In 2007 she was a member of the jury at the 19th Swiss Film and Video Festival in Spiez and Thun.

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