Home is the Ocean Switzerland 2024 – 94min. 75h2n

Etwas vom Besten überhaupt. Bewundernswerte Eltern, authentisch, gesunde Kinder. Eine Kindheit, die ich meinen Kindern wünschte. Sehr berührend!

Part 1/2:

Some viewers seem to have misunderstood that the filmmaker does not reflect the views of the portrayed parents. Instead, she takes on a ive, observational role—similar to that of a nature documentary.

From a cinematic perspective, this is a high-quality documentary. The atmospheric visuals, complemented by subtle music, provide an impressive and authentic insight into the Schwörer family’s life. Recording sound on a sailing vessel must have been challenging, yet the final film delivers clear dialogues and immersive ambient sounds. The director has also succeeded in creating a coherent narrative thread. However, the use of absolute timestamps (e.g., specific years) would have provided better structure than relative time indicators like “two years later.” Overall, this is a well-crafted piece that truly captivated me and allowed me to immerse myself in the world of ocean sailing.… Show more

Part 2/2: The Parents’ Actions
Dario Schwörer’s behavior comes across as highly self-centered. In crucial moments, he appears remarkably detached—for example, when his wife breaks down in tears because their older children express a desire for a structured school life in Switzerland rather than continuing to sail around the world. His response is cold and lacking in empathy. Additionally, the eldest children are expected to take on responsibilities for their younger siblings at an early age, a duty he explicitly imposes on them.

From birth, the children are integrated into their parents’ life project, whether they like it or not. Of course, they gain experiences that many other children never will—self-reliance, responsibility, teamwork, and a deep connection with nature. But the downside is that they lack access to conventional education, social structures, and, most importantly, the freedom to choose their own path.

Basic planning also seems to be neglected in critical areas. For example, his wife’s high blood pressure during pregnancy is merely speculated upon—when a simple blood pressure monitor on board could have provided clarity. Vitamin deficiencies are addressed with canned vegetables instead of dietary supplements, fermented foods, or citrus fruits. Even fresh sprouts like watercress could have been grown on board. By the time the family embarks on a trek through a region inhabited by polar bears, the line between courage and recklessness becomes dangerously blurred.

While Dario and Sabine consciously chose this lifestyle, their children did not. Collecting plastic waste and raising awareness about climate change is commendable, but does it justify the sacrifices their children have made? The fact that the older children now want to return to Switzerland suggests that the nomadic lifestyle was not as romantic for them as their father envisioned. He persuaded his wife by promising her a piano in every port, but the children were given no say in the matter. For young minds that need stability, security, and social connections, this environment is far from ideal. His unwavering faith in divine protection and his risk assessment seem questionable at best. In the end, he has dragged six children into a life of uncertainty—one from which they must now struggle to free themselves.… Show more