Engaged cinema in the “Border Lines” section

In its “Border Lines” section, the Zurich Film Festival presents films dealing with border situations occurring in present-day world conditions, humanitarian projects and conflicts between individuals and the state. The section is organised by the ZFF in collaboration with Amnesty International.

The “Border Lines” section centres around current world affairs. The programme contains a total of seven works that deal in various ways with border situations. “Cinema cannot change the world, but it can contribute to a better understanding of each other, because it is the medium of empathy that allows us to see the world through the eyes of people who are completely different from us”, explains Christian Jungen, Artistic Director of the ZFF. “This is especially true for the contributions in the ‘Border Lines’ section, such as H2: THE OCCUPATION LAB about the tense coexistence of Palestinians and Jews in the divided city of Hebron.”

Amnesty International is the ZFF’s Human Rights Partner. More than 10 million members and and supporters on every continent around the globe join Amnesty International in pursuing a common goal: to create a world in which human rights are enjoyed by all. “The ZFF is special for us because we can bring current human rights issues to an audience that we otherwise hardly reach,” explains Alexandra Karle, Executive Director of Amnesty International Switzerland. Amnesty International is independent, impartial and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for its first campaign against torture.

The entire programme of the 18th Zurich Film Festival is available to view on our website. Follow us on our social media channels, where we share the latest festival information.

BUTTERFLY VISION
Drama
Ukraine, Czech Republic, Croatia, Sweden
Director: Maksym Nakonechnyi
Cast: Rita Burkovska, Liubomyr Valivots, Myroslava Vytrykhovska-Makar, Natalka Vorozhbyt

For months, soldier Lilia was stuck in Russian captivity in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbass. Now she is returning home, where her husband Tokha is waiting for her. But Lilia suffers from the wounds she sustained as a prisoner, and carries a child – and it’s not Tokha’s. Made before the recent outbreak of war, the deeply moving feature film BUTTERFLY VISION tells of the impact of war on the people of Ukraine.

H2: THE OCCUPATION LAB

European Premiere
DOC: Society and Politics
Israel, Canada, 2022
Director: Idit Avrahami, Noam Sheizaf
Production: Hilla Medalia, Paul Cadieux

In the middle of the Palestinian city of Hebron is a Jewish settlement closely guarded by the Israeli military. Here, the entire Israeli-Palestinian conflict is constantly reignited as past, present and future collide. Using highly compelling archival footage and interviews with residents, former military personnel and insiders, a fateful story is told of a place that is a testing ground for Israel’s methods of occupation and control.

MI PAÍS IMAGINARIO

DOC: Society and Politics
Chile, France, 2022
Director: Patricio Guzmán
Production: Renate Sachse

In October 2019, the increase in metro fares in Santiago de Chile leads to unexpectedly violent protests. Although the government uses the army against its own citizens, one-and-a-half million people soon gather to demonstrate for democracy, better education and a new constitution. Chile’s master documentary filmmaker Patricio Guzmán captures the long-awaited revolt in his homeland. A refreshing contemporary document that gets under the skin.

MIDWIFES

DOC: Society and People 
Myanmar, Canada, Germany, 2022
Director: Snow Hnin El Hlaing
Protagonists: Hla, Nyo Nyo, Kyaw Kyaw, Kyaw Tin, BiBi

In conflict-torn Myanmar, the minority Rohingya Muslims are systematically persecuted and deprived of their basic rights. Despite the strict ethnic divisions, Hla, a Buddhist midwife trains Nyo Nyo, a Muslim woman, to become a midwife. Regardless of their ethnic background, the two women provide medical services to all those who seek help. MIDWIFES tells with immediacy of the courage of these two women.

REBELLION

DOC: Society and Politics
UK, 2022
Director: Maia Kenworthy, Elena Sánchez Bellot
Production: Kat Mansoor

The climate activist movement Extinction Rebellion was the cause of a sensation in April 2019: In an act of civil disobedience, they blockaded important traffic junctions in London for days leading to the United Kingdom being the first country in the world to declare a climate emergency. Within the movement, however, the success reveals fundamental differences. REBELLION provides insights into the internal and external struggles of passionate activists for one of the most burning issues of our time.

RETROGRADE

International Premiere
DOC: Society and Politics
USA, Afghanistan, 2022
Director: Matthew Heineman
Protagonist: Sami Sadat

In January 2021, US President Joe Biden announces that the American army is withdrawing from Afghanistan after 20 years. Matthew Heinemann followed at close range the ensuing turbulent nine-month period of withdrawal and the Taliban’s return to power. Ever observant, his camera follows the American unit at Camp Shorab, as well as the Afghan allies and civilians. The result is a harrowing cinematic testimony that poses the question: Was this mission worth it?

THE TERRITORY

DOC: Environment and Nature
Brazil, Denmark, USA, 2022
Director: Alex Pritz
Production: Darren Aronofsky, Sigrid Jonsson Dyekjaer, Will N. Miller, Gabriela Uchida, Lizzie Gillett, Alex Pritz

The rainforest in Brazil is under threat. From the viewpoint of the indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau people, we experience what is really happening in the Amazon under the regime of the current president, Bolsonaro. The 18-year-old indigenous leader Bitaté and the environmental activist Neidinha declare war on illegal loggers and land seekers. When the situation threatens to escalate, the Uru-eu-wau-wau equip themselves with cameras and drones to document reality. A compelling and courageous testimony to resistance.