Edgar Hagen was born in 1958 in Basel. He studied philosophy and German literature in Basel before continuing his studies at the Free University of Berlin, where he graduated in 1987 with a Master of Arts in philosophy. His thesis focused on Nietzsche and Schopenhauer under the title Pity and Power. After working briefly in independent theatre in Germany and as a freelance journalist at the end of high school, he turned fully towards filmmaking in 1989, beginning a career as an independent documentary author and director that now spans more than three decades.
Throughout his work, Edgar Hagen has explored fundamental human values through philosophical, psychological and social perspectives. His films seek to question established beliefs and to examine the inner worlds of his protagonists. Among his most recognised works are Who Are We? (2019), which premiered at IDFA and received several awards, and Journey to the Safest Place on Earth (2013), which premiered at Dok Leipzig and was distributed internationally. His earlier films include Markus Jura Suisse, The Prodigal Son (1997), Zeit der Titanen, Time of the Titans (2001), and Someone Beside You, If You Have a Mind You Can Lose It (2007). His current project, The Roots of Madness, scheduled for release in late 2025 or early 2026, investigates the displacement of millions of people in relation to the failure of Western policies.
Alongside filmmaking, he has been deeply involved in film policy and education. He served on the board of Balimage from 2008 to 2010 and was a board member of the Swiss Directors and Screenwriters Association from 2010 to 2018. He taught film at the HGK Basel and the HSLU in Lucerne, mentored emerging filmmakers, and from 2013 to 2022 headed the documentary directing programme at Focal, the Swiss foundation for professional training in cinema and audiovisual media. Since 2016, he has been managing director and producer at Vollbild Film GmbH in Basel, working in partnership with Mathias Hefel and collaborating closely with Gudula Meinzolt on film projects and professional training initiatives.
