Karl Saurer Filmproduktion

In his documentary film, Karl Saurer recounts the history of Switzerland's largest reservoir, located near Einsiedeln in the canton of Schwyz. The film brings to life the landscape of the vast Sihl plain, which was flooded in 1937 to generate electricity for rail transport. The dam affected the livelihoods of more than 1,700 people; 107 farms were flooded. Saurer tells a story of colonialism in central Switzerland. In his film, he paints a picture of this event and the associated contradictions and conflicts between the agricultural mountain region and the industrialized lowlands, regional and national aspirations, and economic and ecological interests. Old and new footage and conversations with construction workers and displaced farmers make it clear that the wounds left by the construction and concession in the high valley have not yet healed.

The film traces the mysterious story of the Indian elephant RAJA, who was sent on an adventurous journey from the forests of Kerala to Vienna around 1550, via Lisbon. Gandhi activist P. V. Rajagopal's explorations along the route uncover surprising facts and awaken fascinating associations. We witness the capture of the little elephant, its training, its work in the forest and its performances at temple festivals - until it is chosen as a status symbol by European rulers. A story of appropriation that continues to this day.