Barry & Me(Mein Freund Barry)
A film byMarkus Welter
A friendship against the odds.
Across snow-covered mountains, remote Alpine paths and the quiet rooms of a mountain hospice, these moments capture the isolation, courage and unexpected companionship at the heart of Barry & Me.
Film images from Barry & Me (Mein Freund Barry) · Atlantis Pictures and distribution partners.
Lost in the mountains. Found by friendship.
Stranded in the Swiss Alps, a young orphan finds friendship, courage and a reason to hope when he saves a vulnerable Saint Bernard puppy.
In the late eighteenth century, twelve-year-old Georg and his older brother Alfons set out across the Great St. Bernard Pass in search of a better future. Orphaned by war, they have little to rely on but each other. When Georg falls ill, Alfons leaves him at a remote mountain hospice run by monks.
Separated from his brother, Georg struggles with the hospice’s demanding routines and the hostility of a young novice named Célestin. Friendship with Resi offers a first sense of belonging. Then Georg discovers a weak Saint Bernard puppy and secretly begins caring for him. He names the dog Barry.
As their bond grows, Georg finds companionship and new purpose. But when Barry's existence comes to light, the boy must summon the courage to protect his friend and the future he has begun to build.
Montreal International Children's Film Festival — Audience Award · Markus Welter also received the Thuringian Minister-President's Special Award.
A world of snow. A journey into the unknown.
The Great St. Bernard Pass has connected travellers across the Alps for centuries. Yet its beautiful landscape also presents formidable challenges: severe weather, dangerous terrain and long stretches of isolation.
For twelve-year-old Georg, the journey begins as a search for a better future beside his brother. When illness leaves him at the mountain hospice, he has to adapt to unfamiliar routines and expectations. The vast mountains reflect his loneliness, while the hospice slowly becomes a place where hardship, kindness and unexpected opportunities meet.
Two lonely souls. One extraordinary bond.
When Georg finds Barry, the Saint Bernard puppy is weak and struggling to survive. Despite his own difficult circumstances, the boy refuses to abandon him.
Caring for Barry gives Georg someone to protect, something to believe in and a growing sense of responsibility. Their bond becomes a source of strength, even as the rules of the hospice and the hostility of others put their friendship at risk.
The film reminds us that courage is not only shown through spectacular acts of bravery, but also through the compassion it takes to stand up for someone vulnerable.
A small dog. An extraordinary legacy.
The film draws inspiration from one of Switzerland's most celebrated rescue dogs.
The real Barry served at the Great St. Bernard Hospice from 1800 to 1812. Saint Bernard dogs helped travellers facing dangerous conditions along the mountain pass, and Barry became a lasting symbol of rescue, courage and compassion.
According to the Fondation Barry, more than forty rescues are traditionally attributed to him. Although Georg's adventure is a fictionalized story, it celebrates the same commitment to protecting others that made Barry's name famous.
Markus Welter
Cinematic Alpine adventure and heartfelt storytelling centered on kindness and courage.
Markus Welter is a German-Swiss director and editor with a background in feature films and television productions. His previous work includes Im Sog der Nacht, One Way Trip and Der Teufel von Mailand.
With Barry & Me, Welter brings the story of a celebrated Swiss rescue dog to the screen through the eyes of a young orphan searching for belonging. The film combines expansive Alpine landscapes with an intimate story of compassion and friendship.
In 2026, the film received the Goldener Spatz award for Best Fiction Feature Film, while Welter received the Thuringian Minister-President's Special Award.
Swiss cinema on the big screen in Calgary.
Join us at the Calgary European Film Festival for Barry & Me (Mein Freund Barry), a heartwarming family adventure inspired by Switzerland's legendary Saint Bernard rescue dog.
Friday, November 13, 2026.
A historical family adventure.
Presented with English subtitles.
Meet the people behind the adventure.
Discover the characters who shape Georg's journey and the creative team behind this Alpine family film.
Sometimes the smallest companion makes the greatest difference.
In a world of towering mountains and uncertain paths, one unexpected friendship gives a young boy the courage to believe in a better future.
See Barry & Me at CEFF.
(Mein Freund Barry)