Acclaimed Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck to headline Swiss documentary festival

Oscar-winning Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck is set to take center stage at Switzerland's prestigious Visions du Réel documentary film festival in Nyon this April. The renowned director, known for his powerful documentary 'I Am Not Your Negro,' will present both a masterclass and a comprehensive retrospective of his work, marking a significant moment for Swiss cinema culture.

The 56th edition of Visions du Réel, running from April 4 to 13, 2025, will feature Peck's latest work 'Ernest Cole: Lost and Found,' fresh from its Special Screening at Cannes. The festival will also showcase his groundbreaking HBO series 'Exterminate All The Brutes,' a profound examination of colonialism that earned a Peabody Award in 2022. The comprehensive program, organized in collaboration with the Cinémathèque suisse and ECAL film department, will be fully revealed on March 12.

Raoul Peck's remarkable journey from Haiti to global cinema acclaim reflects in his powerful storytelling. Born in 1953, he fled the Duvalier dictatorship, living in Congo before pursuing education in Brooklyn and Orleans. His transition from engineer and economist to filmmaker led to creating impactful works like 'Lumumba: Death of a Prophet' and the Oscar-winning 'I Am Not Your Negro.' His role as Haiti's Minister of Culture (1995-1997) and presence on prestigious festival juries at Cannes, Berlinale, and Sundance underscore his influence in world cinema.

Peck's presence at Visions du Réel reinforces Switzerland's position as a crucial platform for documentary filmmaking. The collaboration between the festival, Cinémathèque suisse, and ECAL demonstrates the country's commitment to fostering critical dialogue through cinema. This event continues Switzerland's tradition of supporting challenging, thought-provoking documentary work that addresses global issues through an artistic lens.