review for Beresina oder die letzten Tage der Schweiz on AllMovie

A full appreciation of Beresina requires an understanding of right-wing Swiss politics, because without it, a viewer will almost certainly find himself lost in what seems a meandering story line. Perhaps like no other country, Switzerland guards its citizenship laws with a gusto that borders on Fascism. Foreigners who have lived and worked in Switzerland for a lifetime are rarely offered citizenship. And those who apply for citizenship, despite good standing in a community, often face harsh resistance from well-meaning patriots. Into this world comes Irina -- the main character of Beresina -- a naïve prostitute who loves Switzerland more than her native Russia. More of an argument than a character, Irina is used to discuss what it is exactly that makes the "ideal" Swiss citizen. Compared to the Swiss aristocrats she meets along the way -- like her deceptive lover, General Sturzenegger, and the scheming Charlotte De -- she comes off far more virtuous than the indigenous population. It is a simple message, and at times it takes far too long to get there. Non-Swiss audiences will certainly miss out on the in-jokes about Swiss behavior and cultural icons. But those who stick around will be rewarded with a very funny climax in which Irina accidentally sets off a military coup d'état. The film is also a must for anyone who is interested in learning more about contemporary Switzerland and makes an excellent companion piece to Schweizermachern (The Swiss Makers), another film about the trials and tribulations of immigrants in the Alps.