New Swiss Film Exposes a Family’s Silence After Suicide
A new Swiss documentary, The Man on the Steeple, explores filmmaker Edwin Beeler’s personal connection to his grandfather’s life and tragic death. The film, which premiered in cinemas on Thursday, delves into the emotional toll of family silence, chronic pain, and the lasting impact of suicide on those left behind.
Beeler’s grandfather, a respected chimney sweep, took his own life at 81 after years of caring for his seriously ill wife and battling depression following a severe workplace injury.
Edwin Beeler grew up admiring his grandfather, a man whose profession as a chimney sweep fascinated him. But behind the admiration lay a darker story. At 65, his grandfather suffered a devastating fall from a roof, leaving him with chronic pain and a deepening struggle with his mental health.
For years, the family rarely spoke about his depression. Instead, they focused on his role as a devoted caregiver to his wife, who was seriously ill. On the day he died, he was found in the basement of his home—coinciding with Beeler’s 31st birthday. His final words were spoken to his wife, though her name has never been publicly disclosed. The film weaves together interviews with Beeler’s mother, aunts, and uncles, revealing how the family processed—or failed to process—their loss. Beeler himself sees parallels between his grandfather’s emotional struggles and his own tendency to suppress feelings. Unlike past generations, however, he is determined to break the silence. Suicide rates among older men remain disproportionately high compared to other demographics. By sharing his family’s story, Beeler hopes to encourage others to speak openly about mental health before it reaches a point of crisis.
The Man on the Steeple offers a raw look at grief, generational trauma, and the weight of unspoken pain. The documentary does not just recount a family’s history—it challenges the stigma around mental health, particularly among older men.
Now in Swiss cinemas, the film serves as both a tribute to Beeler’s grandfather and a call for greater honesty about emotional suffering.
