The Woman With the 5 Elephants

Synopsis

Swetlana Geier is considered the greatest translator of Russian literature into German. She has just concluded her lifework for Zurich’s Ammann publishing house – completing new translations of Dostoyevsky’s five great novels – known as the five elephants. Her work is characterised by a great and sensual feeling for language and an uncompromising respect for the writers she translates. Her life has been overshadowed by Europe’s varied history.

Director Biography

Born in 1965 in Germany, he grew up in Switzerland, where he attended the Basel School of Applied Art and the Düsseldorf Art Academy. After that, he worked two years as assistant director, camera assistant and editing assistant in film and theater productions. He made his first film in 1986. In 2002, he and Hercli Bundi founded the filmproduction company Mira Film GmbH, where he also works as producer and co-producer of international documentary films. He’s the father of two children and lives in Basel.