
Ragazzi al fiume follows three young Afghan refugees spending a summer day beside a Swiss river. Set against striking natural surroundings, the documentary connects their time in the water with the uncertainty created by a new law concerning migrant returns and their hopes for a secure life.
Ragazzi al fiume is a 2026 Swiss documentary about three young Afghan refugees who spend a hot summer day beside a river. Its setting is peaceful, but that calm is placed alongside the political uncertainty surrounding their lives.
Directed by Pablo Briones and Joakim Chardonnens, the film is spoken in Italian and Persian and runs for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Its central tension comes from the contrast between a day in nature and a new law threatening the refugees’ hopes for stability.
Ragazzi al fiume movie details
| Title | Ragazzi al fiume |
|---|---|
| Release date | |
| Runtime | 1h 15m |
| Genres | Documentary |
| Directors | Pablo Briones, Joakim Chardonnens |
| Writer | Pablo Briones |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Languages | Italian, Persian |
| Status | Released |
Story without spoilers
The documentary centers on three young Afghan refugees gathered by a Swiss river during the summer. Their day unfolds amid lyrical landscapes and powerful, untamed waters, offering a temporary sense of space and quiet.
That atmosphere is complicated by a new law on migrant returns. As the policy casts uncertainty over their future, the film follows the tension between their desire for a peaceful, secure existence and the circumstances that place that desire under threat.

What to expect
Ragazzi al fiume is presented as a documentary grounded in place, personal experience and migration policy. Viewers can expect a compact film built around three young Afghan refugees, a single summer-day setting and the contrast between the river’s natural environment and the insecurity created by the new returns law.
The film’s 75-minute runtime suggests a focused account rather than a broad survey. Its use of Italian and Persian reflects the film’s multilingual context, while the Swiss setting is central to both the story and its production background.
Cast and creative team
Pablo Briones and Joakim Chardonnens direct Ragazzi al fiume, with Briones also credited as the writer. No cast members are listed, consistent with the film’s documentary format.
Release and production context
Ragazzi al fiume is a 2026 documentary from Switzerland. It is listed as released on November 14, 2026, and has a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. The spoken languages are Italian and Persian. Production is credited to Intermezzo Films, Cinédokké Sagl and Cinédokké.
Production companies: Intermezzo Films, Cinédokké Sagl, Cinédokké
Movies Dock view
With its small human focus and politically charged premise, Ragazzi al fiume connects an ordinary summer gathering with the larger uncertainty facing young Afghan refugees in Switzerland. The documentary’s setting, language mix and concise runtime give it a clearly defined scope without moving beyond the experience described in its synopsis.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ragazzi al fiume about?
It follows three young Afghan refugees spending a hot summer day beside a Swiss river while a new law on migrant returns threatens their hopes for a peaceful and secure life.
What genre is Ragazzi al fiume?
Ragazzi al fiume is a documentary.
Who directed Ragazzi al fiume?
Pablo Briones and Joakim Chardonnens directed the film.
Who wrote Ragazzi al fiume?
Pablo Briones is credited as the writer.
How long is Ragazzi al fiume?
The film runs for 1 hour and 15 minutes.















