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| BLAME – Bats, Politics and a Planet Out of Balance | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Christian Frei |
| Written by | Christian Frei, Trine Piil |
| Produced by | Christian Frei |
| Cinematography | Filip Zumbrunn, Peter Indergand |
| Edited by | Christian Frei, Magnus Langset |
| Music by | Marcel Vaid, Jóhann Jóhannsson |
| Distributed by | Rise and Shine World Sales |
Release date | April 4, 2025 (Visions du Réel) |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Language | English |
BLAME – Bats, Politics and a Planet Out of Balance is a 2025 documentary film directed and produced by Swiss filmmaker Christian Frei. The feature-length film premiered on April 4, 2025, as the opening film of the 56th Visions du Réel International Film Festival in Nyon, Switzerland.[1] The film explores the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic while reflecting on the role of science under political scrutiny.
Synopsis
[edit]Shortly after the outbreak of COVID-19, Christian Frei initiated what he termed a “cinematic journey.” Filming was conducted discreetly due to geopolitical sensitivities, ensuring the protection of both filming locations and participants.[2] The documentary centers on the work and experiences of three prominent scientists: Linfa Wang in Singapore, Zhengli Shi in Wuhan, and Peter Daszak, a British zoologist based in New York. These researchers were among the first to investigate the origins of SARS in 2003, tracing it to a bat cave in China. Back then, they warned that a novel coronavirus could make the jump to humans at any time. Years later, COVID-19 would put their research and findings at the center of ’feverish debates and speculations’. Frei emphasizes that the film is told from their perspective.[3] BLAME juxtaposes the slow, careful process of scientific research with the rapid, often volatile dynamics of political and media discourse.[2] As Frei notes, “Those who warned us would eventually be the ones who are blamed.”[4]
Production
[edit]Filming began in November 2022 at the 7th World One Health Congress in Singapore. The production then moved to Thailand, capturing fieldwork at Wat Luang Phrommawat, where scientists test fruit bats for the Nipah virus. Further scenes were shot at Khao Chong Phran Cave in Ratchaburi Province, home to approximately 2.8 million bats. This site is also frequented weekly by guano collectors. Additional footage was taken in the Pang Mapha district in northern Thailand, noted for its dramatic karst landscapes and cave systems.
Reception
[edit]BLAME has received critical acclaim for its investigative depth and visual storytelling. Screendaily described the documentary as “an alarming” and “chilling depiction of the way narratives are formed, amplified by politicians, and embraced by hostile media.”[3] Selim Petersen of Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) praised the film for its objectivity, despite addressing contentious topics. He highlighted the evocative imagery by cinematographers Peter Indergand and Filip Zumbrunn.[5] Writing in Die Republik, Anne-Sophie Scholl called it a timely work that reflects on the collapse of the current global order.[6] Marcel Gyr of Neue Zürcher Zeitung criticized the film’s perceived lack of critical distance, describing Frei as being “embedded” with Peter Daszak.[7]
Cast
[edit]- Linfa Wang
- Zhengli Shi
- Peter Daszak
- Philipp Markolin
- Jane Qiu
Crew
[edit]- Directed by: Christian Frei
- Written by: Christian Frei, Trine Piil
- Produced by: Christian Frei
- Cinematography: Filip Zumbrunn, Peter Indergand
- Edited by: Christian Frei, Magnus Langset
- Music by: Marcel Vaid, Jóhann Jóhannsson
- Distributed by: Rise and Shine World Sales
Release and Technical Details
[edit]- Release Date: April 4, 2025 (Visions du Réel)
- Running Time: 123 minutes
- Country: Switzerland
- Languages: English
References
[edit]- ^ "Blame by Christian Frei to open the 56th edition of Visions du Réel, a world première – News". March 10, 2025.
- ^ a b "Blame – Films".
- ^ a b "'Blame' review: Three Covid-19 scientists fall victim to truth-twisting narratives". Screen.
- ^ Ross, Rafa Sales (April 4, 2025). "COVID Conspiracies, RFK Jr. Discussed by Christian Frei as 'Blame' Opens Visions du Réel: 'In a World Where Nothing Is True, Everything Becomes Possible'".
- ^ "«Blame»: Über Corona zu forschen, kann üble Nebenwirkungen haben". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF).
- ^ Scholl, Anne-Sophie (April 7, 2025). "Was wir von Fledermäusen lernen können". Republik – via www.republik.ch.
- ^ Gyr, Marcel (April 5, 2025). "Ein Schweizer Dokumentarfilmer geht mit zwei umstrittenen Virenforschern in ein Retreat". Neue Zürcher Zeitung – via NZZ.