by Livia Vonaesch
The film’s title says it all: the Schwörer family of eight from eastern Switzerland have been living on a sailing ship for 25 years. They traverse the world’s oceans, striving to live in harmony with nature, and give talks on land to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation. Director Livia Vonaesch has followed the parents and their six children with her camera for several years at sea. The result is an intimate portrait of a fascinating family living the great dream of boundless freedom in a confined space. 'It takes tremendous courage to film with a camera on the high seas and in confined surroundings. It is even more impressive if you have the talent to reach for the camera precisely when the unexpected happens.
Livia Vonaesch is a Swiss filmmaker and journalist. After studying sociology and communication sciences at the Universities of Potsdam and Lucerne, she graduated from the Ringier School of Journalism. In 2016, she was selected for the fellowship at UnionDocs, Center for Documentary Art in New York City. HOME IS THE OCEAN is Vonaesch's debut film. HOME IS THE OCEAN (2024)