the venerable w.

a film by Barbet Schroeder • in cinemas on 7 June 2017 • 1h40

Synopsis

In Burma, the “Venerable Wirathu” is a highly respected and influential Buddhist monk. Meeting him amounts to traveling to the heart of everyday racism and observing how Islamophobia and hate speech lead to violence and destruction. Yet this is a country in which 90% of the population has adopted Buddhism as a faith: a religion based on a peaceful, tolerant and non-violent way of life.

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Awards

Sélection Officielle – Séance Spéciale — Festival de Cannes 2017
Selection — New-York Film Festival 2017
Sélection officielle — Telluride Film Festival 2017

Press

Magistral.
Télérama
Fascinant.
Première
Un très grand film.
L’OBS
Audacieux. Un film qui déboulonne les clichés.
Les Echos
Un film qui démonte la mécanique de la haine.
Philosophie Magazine

Credits

Screenplay: Barbet Schroeder
Cinematography: Victoria Clay Mendoza
Editing: Nelly Quettier
Sound: Florian Eidenbenz, Georges Prat
Music: Jorge Arriagada
Produced by: Margaret Menegoz (Les Films du Losange), Lionel Baier (Bande à Part)
Co-produced by: Arte France Cinéma, RTS – Radio Télévision Suisse, SRG SSR
With the participation of: Arte France, Ciné +
With the support of: Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée, Office fédéral de la culture (DFI - Suisse), Cinéforom, Loterie Romande
French distribution: Les Films du Losange
International sales: Les Films du Losange