Visions du Réel, the prestigious documentary film festival starts in Nyon on Friday 21st and continues until the 28th April.
The festival has a temporary bar and a restaurant set up in the festival central area in Place Perdtemps, and films are screened in six venues across Nyon and in one venue in Gland. The festival is open to the general public and most films have subtitles in English. Some films are in English as the main language.
One of these films (to be screened on Saturday 22nd at 14:00 and Sunday 23rd at 10:00 at the Salle Communale) is
A Campaign of their Own - Directed by Lionel Rupp, produced by Michael David Mitchell
This film focusses on Jonathan Katz, a passionate Bernie Sanders supporter. He campaigns in the streets of New York with other supporters during last year's U.S caucuses. They knock on doors, attend meetings, they hand out stickers and demonstrate in public parks. They discuss policy and Hilary Clinton, they agree and disagree with each other.
Photos above and below - courtesy Visions du Réel
Sanders' supporters are a diverse group of people. From the feisty teenage volunteer who says, "It's not about Democrat or Republican, I just want to see someone who is honest for me to actually care about them", to a young black musician who jokes, "I have a problem with Sander's age, I can already see it with my Dad - " I forgot where my phone is, I don't know where my glasses are". A fellow musician responds " but with age also comes wisdom".
Supporters chant slogans; "Human rights will succeed, putting end to corporate greed". Some of them complain the slogan is too long and not catchy enough. The supporters campaign through all weathers and as they gather in a hot church hall they fan themselves whilst listening to more speeches. The camera pans to a woman in a t-shirt that says, "Neither Elephant nor Ass". Even though the end result of the 2016 presidential election is already known to the viewer, this slice of American life is still fascinating to watch. It's the small details in the film that make it an engaging one and an interesting insight into a moment in American political history. For tickets click here