A Forgotten Man

North American Premiere

In the spring of 1945, as Nazi Germany was collapsing, Swiss ambassador Heinrich Zwygart fled bombed-out Berlin after eight years of service in the capital of the Reich. This marked the end of a harrowing diplomatic mission, one that had forced him into fatal compromises aimed at preserving Switzerland's cherished neutrality and security. As he tried to reunite with his estranged family in his unscathed home country, the arrival of peace put Zwygart in a delicate position. The Swiss policy, which had leaned heavily in favor of Germany, now faced scrutiny as the Allies and Russians liberated Europe and raised questions about Switzerland's wartime conduct. A reckoning was inevitable for Switzerland to emerge on the victorious side in the post-war era. Tormented by his past and struggling to secure a future, Zwygart found himself driven by ambition even as he sensed the trap closing in on him. He had survived the war, but would he survive peace? Inspired by Thomas Hürlimann's stage play “Der Gesandte,” A Forgotten Man is a captivating historical drama that unveils an untold story of Switzerland's role in World War II through breathtakingly stunning black and white cinematography.

Accompanying the film premiere is a discussion with director Laurent Nègre. To view the conversation please click here.