The Foster Boy

An orphan whose passion is the accordion, Max endures the harsh conditions of the Bosigers’ farm while protecting Berteli. He dreams of becoming a professional musician and ultimately plans a daring escape to Argentina to pursue that dream. His resilience is fueled by music, friendship, and a stubborn hope for a better life.

A foster child who longs for her mother while bearing the burden of abuse at the hands of Jakob. She shows quiet strength despite trauma, becomes pregnant, and faces a perilous fate that tests Max’s resolve. Her bond with Max sustains them in the face of systemic cruelty.

A compassionate teacher who sees Max's talent and defends him and Berteli when others fail them. She intervenes by encouraging performance on Schwingen Day and ultimately leaves behind a symbol of hope: a brand-new accordion. Her actions come at personal cost, illustrating moral courage in a hostile environment.

A cruel figure within the Bosigers' household who sexually assaults Berteli and retaliates violently against Max. His abuse exposes the dangerous power dynamics at the heart of the foster system and cloaks it in normalcy for those around him.

A motherlike figure who oscillates between tenderness and brutality. She reacts with anger toward Miss Sigrist, becomes complicit in covering up abuse, and participates in the harsher methods used at the farm, including the castor oil episode.

A heavy-drinking patriarch whose presence amplifies danger and fear on the farm. He physically prevents Max from reaching Berteli during crucial moments and his intoxication amplifies the household’s volatility and neglect.