Known for his award-winning work, documentary director and university lecturer Stefan Ziegler arrived in Bishkek to showcase his film "The Mandate - Who Cares About International Law" at the "Bir Duyno" human rights film festival in early December.
The award for the film was presented to Stefan Ziegler by festival organizer Toletkan Ismailova and the chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Kyrgyzstan, Talaybek Kulmendeev.
Ziegler is interesting for his unique approach that combines cinema and human rights advocacy, which has had a significant impact on documentary filmmaking. At the meeting, he remarked: "I am not a tourist in your country; I am here to discover it for myself."
- How did you enter the world of cinema, and what motivated you to pursue this field? Which directors or films have had the greatest influence on you? Additionally, how do you connect your work in international law with cinema?
- In fact, I am not a professional filmmaker. I have no formal education in this field, and, to be honest, I don't have time to watch films. I was born a creative person, and art has always played an important role in my life. I do not see myself as an ambitious "filmmaker"; rather, I am an educator and an advocate for humanitarian interests.
For me, filmmaking is a tool that allows for effective message delivery.
With 25 years of experience in the humanitarian field, including in conflict zones, I have concluded that cinema can be such a tool. Therefore, when I founded my film company, Advocacy Productions, it reflected my activities. It may sound strange, but my two main sources of inspiration are...
The first is the works of German playwright Bertolt Brecht, who called for critical thinking and the use of narrative to convey stories. This allows for a focus on the essence of what is happening in the film. In "The Mandate," I even played the role of the main character, which piqued the audience's interest.
The second source is the PAR (Participative Action Research) methodology, which emphasizes the involvement of the people who become the heroes of my films.
We learn from those we work with and adapt our films according to their experiences. In the philosophy of rights advocacy, this is called "giving a voice to the voiceless." This applies not only to cinema but to the academic community as a whole. We often look at people, but it is important to understand their world through their lens to create films that consider the youth's perspective.
That is why my film "Broken" has been viewed by over 3 million people, including thousands of teenagers. They understand what is happening much more deeply than we can imagine. I plan to create the next documentary about international law for young people.
- Do you see a connection between the films "Broken" and "The Mandate" and the issues that exist in Kyrgyzstan?
- Both films, like my other works, focus on international law, which concerns all of us. It is not only abstract but also ethical. We intuitively know what can be done and what cannot.
For example, everyone agrees that it is unacceptable to kill unarmed civilians. Protecting those who are not involved in the conflict is crucial for establishing peace.
This is based on the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, which, along with human rights, form the foundation of internationally recognized law.
In my films, I strive to clarify how we understand law in conflict situations, as this can happen to anyone. If we manage to convey this common understanding, we can use it for peaceful living.
This idea has been well received in Kyrgyzstan. I am glad that young people at universities and at the festival are actively discussing these topics.
Kyrgyzstan can be proud of its youth, who engage in such discussions and critically reflect on what is happening.
- What brought you to Kyrgyzstan? How did you first learn about the culture and cinema of this country?
- I was invited by the Swiss embassies in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. They organized a two-week tour for me with film screenings and lectures.
Switzerland is known for its neutral position and as a custodian of the Geneva Conventions, which are fundamental to international humanitarian law.
The Swiss government supports my work, allowing me to discuss films in your country and in others where this may be challenging.
During the two weeks, I held lectures three to four times a day, leading to interesting discussions. Half of the meetings took place at universities, some with media representatives, including filmmakers and artists, and the remaining time was spent with civil society organizations. Despite the short time, I was able to get to know the authentic culture of Kyrgyzstan better.
- What is the goal of your visit regarding international law? What do you hope to achieve with your tour?
- I came to present my film at the "Bir Duyno" festival. The audience's reaction helps me better understand what is needed. My previous visit showed how open people are to new knowledge after watching.
I was invited for a deeper understanding of their views on international law. This willingness to learn inspires me as a filmmaker and educator.
At one meeting in Bishkek, I was asked if I wanted to show my film at the festival. This speaks to the immediacy of the Kyrgyz people, which impressed me.
I believe that the five Central Asian countries can become stronger if they cooperate in a spirit of solidarity. International law can be one of those unifying forces.
It is important to exchange ideas and experiences, and if we can do this through cinema, we will create a common perspective. I would like to help establish an analysis center focusing on international law and its significance for people.
If my experience can serve as a catalyst for active participation and educational exchange, it will benefit everyone and contribute to peaceful coexistence.
- Have you found like-minded individuals in Central Asia working in the field of international law and cinema? Who are they?
- Yes, but it is not easy. There are few filmmakers, more intellectuals and advocates for those who are less heard.
It is important to find people with good hearts who can convey important messages through cinema or education. I cannot do this alone, so we need an alliance of like-minded individuals.
Joint efforts can be called a mission, a mandate! We must convey these ideas from within, not just from academic circles meant for the elite.
- Can you tell us about your new project? What is its message and theme?
- The film titled "Curious" will last about five and a half hours and is intended for teachers. They will be able to use it in its entirety or select individual parts. This material is adaptable for different regions so that everyone can take what they find necessary.
It will be useful in various settings—both during the semester and in seminars or evening classes.
The research took eight years. We had teachers from 20 different countries who engaged youth in this process and asked for their opinions on international law.
The film "Curious" will be released in the next six months.
In The Hague are the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, and we hope that the Dutch government can support the project to make the film accessible to everyone, especially teachers.
At the initial stage, we will translate subtitles into Kyrgyz, Russian, and over 30 other languages to ensure the material's accessibility.
- When you were working on your film, did you discover anything new? Does anything change during the filming process?
- For example, our first film was titled "BROKEN - A Palestinian Journey Through International Law," but the title changed to attract a broader audience. It is now called "BROKEN PROMISES - Israel, Palestine, and Justice: Arguments for International Law."
We did not plan to shoot other films, but I became interested in the openness of the judges of the International Court, and we have archival materials that no one has used.
I felt the need to complete unfinished projects, and six years later, we released the film "The Mandate," which I showed here a few days ago.
We create real documentaries that are part of the educational process. They are timeless, just like international law.
Our films attract a wide audience: those interested in law, politics, youth, and ordinary citizens.
Four weeks after the release of "The Mandate," we received a request for copies of the film from the library of the International Court. How they found out about us is a mystery, but it was amazing.
- Do you have future plans in cinema? Are there new projects?
- Yes, tomorrow I have a meeting with a local artist whose works have been exhibited abroad, and he tells his stories in a unique way. I watched a film about him and was struck by the poetry of his language.
If my suspicions are confirmed, we plan to shoot a documentary with him titled "Poetry and International Law – Artistic Understanding of Conflict Law."
I have about 12 films waiting for their realization.
Thanks to the Kyrgyz people, I am inspired for new achievements and intend to return to this amazing land.
