Clever portrait of the world-famous globalisation critic
In 1964 Jean Ziegler chauffeured the then legendary Che Guevara at a conference in Geneva. Enthusiastically, he wants to set off for Cuba with the revolutionary. But Guevara refuses. Jean Ziegler should fight against the "head of the capitalist monster" here in Switzerland, where he was born. Since then, Jean Ziegler has known no rest: tirelessly, as a writer, professor, member of the Swiss parliament and UN employee, he denounces the power of the managers of financial capital and their responsibility for world hunger. His commitment remains unbroken to this day at over 80. But when he finally travels to Cuba himself, he encounters the Caribbean island in transition and suddenly finds his ideas questioned.
"Jean Ziegler: The Optimism of Willpower" is a clever and cryptic portrait of the world-famous globalisation critic and human rights activist Jean Ziegler. Filmmaker Nicolas Wadimoff approaches the controversial Swiss sociologist and world best-selling author with critical empathy. He goes with Ziegler to where he otherwise only goes alone: to his doubts and contradictions and to his deep-seated hope that another world is possible.
Festivals / film awards
- 2017: Solothurner Filmtage, CH
- 2017: Swiss Film Award, CH, Nominated for Best Documentary
- 2016: Festival International du Film Francophone, BE
- 2016: Locarno Film Festival, CH
- 2016: Montreal International Documentary Festival, CA
Distribution funding
