Richard Dindo

Richard Dindo

Director, Writer

BIO

Richard Dindo is an internationally renowned Swiss documentary filmmaker and film historian. Born in 1947 in Zurich, he studied literature and philosophy at the University of Zurich. He began his career as a filmmaker in the early 1970s and has since directed more than 50 films, many of which have screened at prestigious international film festivals.

Dindo’s films focus on historical and political topics, and he is renowned for his comprehensive approach to his subject matter. His films often feature interviews with key figures in the subject matter, providing a fascinating insight into the topic at hand. His documentaries often draw attention to the injustices and inequalities that exist in modern society.

Dindo’s best-known film is the 1977 documentary The Life of a Swiss Banker, which won both the Swiss Film Prize and the Golden Dove at the Berlin International Film Festival. Other notable films include the documentaries Russian Winter (1985), which focused on the fall of the Soviet Union; The Battle of Chile (1989), which highlighted the struggle for democracy in Chile during the 1970s; and Return to the Land of Wonders (2009), which explored the history of the Middle East.

Throughout his career, Dindo has also worked as a film critic and lecturer. He is a professor of film history at the University of Zurich and has written books on the subject, including The Cinema of the Swiss: A History (2002) and The History of Cinema: A Global Perspective (2008). He is also the founder of the Swiss Film Archive, which is dedicated to preserving and promoting Swiss cinema.

Dindo’s work has been widely recognised and respected, and he has been awarded numerous awards including the Swiss Grand Prix for Film in 2006 and the Swiss Film Prize for Lifetime Achievement in 2009. In 2016, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

Richard Dindo is a hugely influential and respected figure in the world of documentary filmmaking, and his work continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers. His films provide an important insight into the history and politics of our times, and his dedication to preserving and promoting Swiss cinema is an invaluable contribution to the film world.

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