The film "That Girl" by Cornelia Gantner

The Zug director Cornelia Gantner accompanied an African woman in her tireless struggle for change and progress over several years.

The Prada bag certainly cost a lot, and is now deposited on a free chair – next to it sits Cornelia Gantner. This scene in a café on Zurich's Rennweg, where the conversation with Gantner took place, expresses the obvious dilemma: How do you approach a woman whose family has billions in the bank and who is now making a documentary film?

Quite simply: by becoming involved with Cornelia and disregarding Gantner. And that's worth it, because the person behind the status is a fascinating personality who is incredibly electrifying. The inspiration that this woman from Oberägeri radiates is neither put on, nor a farce.

She wants to create a lasting effect

Cornelia Gantner's documentary film "That Girl" will have its premiere at the Zurich Film Festival on Saturday, and is Cornelia Gantner's first film. When you talk to her about the film, she beams and her voice almost shakes with passion. "It's not just a film," she says, pondering for a moment. During the short pause for thought, we could ask why we Europeans are even in Africa.

Photo 1: Cornelia Gantner (left) during filming in the village of Chewe in Zambia.
Photo 2: She has iInvested six years of her life in the film

But those who would argue in this way have not seen the film and/or do not understand the statement behind it. The filmmaker's aim is to convey a thoroughly positive message: be courageous and pursue your dream. This premise is fulfilled by the incredible images of the cinematographer Laurent Stoop on the one hand, and by the strong protagonist Gladys Shonga-Furrer on the other. "It is important to me that the film continues to resonate," says Cornelia Gantner. "That's why I founded the ‘Be That Girl Foundation’. The filmmaker beams again, takes a sip and then continues:

"Some say that the aid for Africa is just a drop in the ocean. That can be. But isn't it true that constant drops hollow out the stone? I think that’s the case. And I’d like to be that drop."

Cornelia Gantner is not just a society lady who flew to Africa to do some charity work – and this becomes clear in a personal conversation with the 48-year-old – the fact that the film took six years to produce shows how much she had dealt with the subject. She says:

"I have seen in Africa that the status quo can be changed. It's happening at a different pace and it needs different approaches - but it works.'

Literally building a bridge
Referring to the assumption that the aid projects have not brought much so far, Cornelia Gantner replies: "I can only speak of ourselves. And we consistently rely on cooperation with the population. For example, we built a bridge with the locals in the African village of Chewe. This bridge is vital for the people living there. But, afterwards, you have to show them that they themselves are responsible for it. If this happens on an equal footing, then the maintenance will also look after itself," she explains. And brings an important key concept to the table: being at eye level. And this is where the whole film takes place – so "That Girl" is absolutely worth seeing and we can give it a clear recommendation.

"That Girl"
Gladys Shonga-Furrer lives by a clear principle: stand up for what you think is right. In the documentary film "That Girl", director Cornelia Gantner from Oberägeri accompanied Gladys for several years in her tireless struggle for change and progress.

The personal portrait of a woman who doesn’t shy away from breaking the silence and standing up for her conviction. The premiere tomorrow as part of the Zurich Film Festival at 6.30 p.m. at Arena 4 in Sihlcity. Other dates and films can be found here.