More Than Chocolate and Cheese

Swiss Army knives, chocolate, the Matterhorn, the Red Cross, precision timepieces … Switzerland is known for many things, as viewers will learn in this brief travelogue. A land of natural wonders and stunning beauty, the small, 700-year-old European nation with a population of 7.5 million boasts gorgeous lakes and rivers, snow-capped mountains, beautiful farmland, and pristine valleys—magnificent sights showcased in More Than Chocolate and Cheese, narrated by Peter Darg and featuring a nice score by Martin Villiger. More emphasis, however, is placed on less familiar subjects such as Switzerland's unique traditions in sports (wrestling and throwing large rocks are beloved competitions), contributions to technology and innovative transportation, and history of international diplomacy. Lest one think that Switzerland sounds like utopia, the documentary is blunt about the country's problems with global warming, a banking scandal, the devastating collapse of airline company Swissair, and urban drug use. But even with such downsides, Switzerland still looks like an amazing place to live, or at least visit. Recommended. Aud: P. (T. Keogh)