“Naked Money”: A Swiss Film Exploring Shame, Desire, and the Power of Artificiality
A new Swiss film, “Naked Money,” directed by Petra Volpe, is garnering attention for its unique exploration of a young woman’s internal struggles with societal expectations, family honor, and personal desire. The film, released in Swiss cinemas on January 8, 2026, utilizes innovative virtual production techniques not to simulate reality, but to visualize an inner world, creating a deliberately artificial yet resonant aesthetic.
The story centers on Lili, a young woman burdened by the weight of family expectations and the objectification she experiences. The review highlights the tension between her mother’s controlling influence and the societal pressure surrounding her body – a pressure Lili herself acknowledges with the complaint that “everyone always wants to see [her] naked.” This pressure is juxtaposed with Lili’s own burgeoning desires, expressed primarily through daydreams and a single instance of dance.
“Naked Money” doesn’t aim for realism. Instead, it embraces artifice. A striking example of this is the forest path Lili walks, which was, actually, filmed using a treadmill. This deliberate choice underscores the film’s focus on internal experience rather than concrete narrative grounding. The film keeps the audience moving with Lili, immersed in her psychological landscape, caught between shame and the longing for escape.
Volpe’s use of virtual production is especially noteworthy. Rather than striving for photorealism, the technology is employed to make the protagonist’s inner world visible, creating a harmonious and evocative atmosphere. The film suggests that a “solid ground” isn’t necessary for this story; it thrives in the realm of the intangible and emotional.
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