Graubünden - Wo die Schweiz den Himmel berührt

Graubünden, also know as the Grisons, is the largest canton in Switzerland. On average, it is situated at about 2,100 metres above sea level - an altitude that surpasses many other Alpine regions. Nature determines the pace of people's lives around here. Hazards such as avalanches or falling rocks teach them humility and respect in dealing with nature. In the remote high valleys, many inhabitants have preserved their own language: Rhaeto-Romanic. The film embarks on a journey to discover both a unique ecosystem and the way of life in the Grisons. A young man from the Engadine trains for difficult climbing routes in every spare minute. This summer he wants to finally pass the demanding exam to become a Swiss mountain guide. Like about 60% of Graubünden's farmers, two former artists manage their farm purely organically. They are trying to cultivate old varieties of grain. Not all of their efforts are successful. The extensively used cultivated landscapes provide an ideal habitat for endangered bat species such as the Lesser Horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros). Scientists are working on a computer model to better protect these small mammals. And wolves, extinct in Switzerland over 100 years ago, are also slowly reestablishing themselves. The head of the Beverin game warden is trying to allay the population's fear of these strictly protected animals. On the Sovrana Alp, a shepherd relies on guard dogs to protect his animals from wolf attacks. Impressive aerial shots show the mountain world of Graubünden from new perspectives. Historical photographs tell of the creative and stubborn mentality of the people of Graubünden. For example, a resourceful hotelier from St. Moritz is said to have invented winter tourism, and in the 20th century the inhabitants of the canton successfully resisted cars on the roads for years.