DOK Leipzig

Based on his own memories and family relationships, Peter Mettler takes a look at life cycles and the constant change of the world in WHILE THE GREEN GRASS GROWS. The film, produced by maximage, will be screened at DOK Leipzig in the International Competition Documentary Film. Peter Mettler was awarded the Grand Prix at the Festival Visions du Réel for the two already completed chapters of his seven-part cinematic diary.

The Peter Metter tribute also features two of his earlier films: In PICTURE OF LIGHT (1994), his team sets out in search of the Northern Lights and surrenders to a state of waiting. GAMBLING, GODS AND LSD (2002), in turn, is a hypnotic, musical film about people in search of both transcendence and ecstasy. As part of a Master Class supported by SWISS FILMS, Peter Mettler will give an insight into his working methods on 12 October in Leipzig. The Master Class will be shown live on the DAFilms VOD platform.

In partnership with DOK Leipzig and SWISS FILMS, DAFilms will also show an extensive programme of films by Peter Mettler following the Festival from 16 October to 5 November.

Long and short Swiss doc and animation filmmaking

The 20-minute short film AS TRES CHAMAS (TALE OF THE THREE FLAMES) by Juliette Menthonnex (Luna Films production) will also be screened as a world premiere in the International Competition Documentary Film. The short film is dedicated to the relationship between man and nature in an apocalyptic landscape after a forest fire in Portugal.

SICK GIRLS by Gitti Grüter will make its world premiere in the German Competition Documentary Film. In this highly personal documentary, Gitti Grüter, who herself has suffered from ADHD for many years, talks to five women who have been diagnosed with the disorder. The film, made in Switzerland, was produced at the Filmuniversität Babelsberg (Film University) Konrad Wolf.

The German premiere of JOHNNY & ME – A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME WITH JOHN HEARTFIELD by director Katrin Rothe will be screened in the  International Competition Animated Film. A young graphic artist explores the life of the inventor of political photomontage, John Heartfield, during a creative crisis. The German-Austrian-Swiss anidoc was co-produced by Dschoint Ventschr Filmproduktion and premiered at the Annecy Animation Film Festival.

The Kids DOK section will feature the 9-minute animated film TÜMPEL (POND) by Lena von Döhren and Eva Rust. This festival favourite about a little herring was produced by Catpics and celebrated its world premiere at the Berlinale.