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Meret Michel, a native of Bern now living in Beirut, regularly reports in the media (including the WoZ, Radio SRF and the NZZ) on the current situation in Lebanon. In her first book, "BEIRUT – SPLITTER EINER WELTSTADT", the journalist tells the stories of the people of Beirut and immerses us in the fascinating world of this former global metropolis. The result is a multi-layered portrait of this city, which has always served as a mirror for the major political upheavals across the entire region.

Following the reading, there will be a discussion (in German) on the current situation in Lebanon and the region.

Moderator: Lucie Bader

Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 8 pm at the Heitere Fahne, Wabern

So nah der Nahe Osten sich anfühlt, so fremd ist uns die Lebensrealität in diesen Ländern. Im Rahmen des Orient Express Filmfestivals Bern werden rund ein Dutzend Filme gezeigt, u.a. auch der Film „Freiheit im Herzen“ von Roxana Samadi. Er dokumentiert die Zerrissenheit, die Hoffnung und den solidarischen Kampf von Exil-Iraner:innen in Deutschland mit ihren Landsleuten im Iran in der Zeit nach dem Tod von Jina Masha Amini. Sie demonstrieren auf den Strassen unter der Parole „Frauen, Leben, Freiheit!“ und wünschen sich einen politischen Umsturz, der die lang ersehnte Freiheit der Menschen im Iran herbeiführen soll.

15.5.2026, 19h30 im Kino in der Reitschule, anschliessend Filmgespräch mit der Regisseurin, Moderation: Lucie Bader.

Migration ist ein Thema, dass immer wieder in den Filmen verhandelt wird. So auch „To a Land Unknown“ von Mahdi Fleifel, der die Geschichte von zwei palästinensischen Cousins erzählt, die auf ihrer Flucht in Athen stranden und dort mit allen Mitteln versuchen, weiter nach Deutschland zu kommen.

17.5.2026, 17h30 im Kino in der Reitschule, danach Gespräch mit Alexander Ott, Migrationsexperte und ehemaliger Leiter Einwohnerdienste, Migration und Fremdenpolizei der Stadt Bern. Moderation: Walter Stoffel.

Three movie nights in the Cinématte Berne with an introduction and a film talk after the screening.

In this cycle we learn about the vision of manipulation of reality and we question our reception of time. Is time a constant of our presence? How do we look back on time? Can we foresee the time? Or is all only an illusion?

Introduction an inputs of the two moderators and discussion with the participants.

24.2.2026, 18h: The Death and Life of Otto Bloom, Cris Jones, Australia, 2016, 84’, Eng/d/f.

10.3.2026, 18h: Riefenstahl, Andreas Veiel, Germany, 2024, 115’, D.

24.3.2026, 18h: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, John Ford, USA, 1962, 123', E/d

• Programm

The edition 2025 «Recht im Film - Le droit dans le cinéma - The law in the movies» at the University of Fribourg deals with the topic COURAGE / CIVIL COURAGE.

How is the law portrayed in film? The programme includes six screenings that invite you to discover more. Introduction by Lucie Bader, panel discussion with legal scholars and experts, moderated by Prof. Eva Maria Belser and Prof. Michel Heinzmann.

• Program (.pdf)
• Article Freiburger Nachrichten, 27.10.2025 (.pdf)
• Article in La Liberté, 18.10.2025 (.pdf)

An immersive, interactive art and science exhibition createt by sciArt brings biodiversity to life through images, sounds and a variety of special stories about water.

Directed by Prof. Dr. Jill Scott

Special exhibition at Papiliorama Kerzers, May 18th - August 10th 2025.

Laser Talk (Science Talk) with scientist and artists on Sunday, June 15, and Sunday, July 13.

Hike / Workshop with scientists for interested hikers: July 11th, 2025.

Watch the film WETLAND WORLDS - Workshop sciart here for free.

Further exhibitions and workshops are planned in 2026/27.

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• Biodiversität lebt hier (.pdf)
• Laser Talks
• Workshops / Hike (.pdf)

Two articles from Walter Stoffel and Lucie Bader about "Judgement at Nuremberg" and "God Exists, her Name is Petrunya", in Mathieu Perrin (Ed.)100 FILMS À VOIR (OU À REVOIR) LORSQUE L'ON EST JURISTE, 2025, Mare et Martin, pp. 93-95, 387-389.

• More information

Movies mirror the views held in the society on law, directly or indirectly. The conference in Torino centres on the cinematic form and the content of the films and their relevance to law and the society.

• Publication LAW MEETS FILM - A TAXONOMY OF AN ENCOUNTER (.pdf)
• Conference Program (.pdf)
• Conference Review