Don’t Let the Sun: Swiss Director Jacqueline Zünd’s Climate Change Drama
Swiss filmmaker Jacqueline Zünd makes her fiction feature debut with “Don’t Let the Sun,” a haunting exploration of human connection in a heat-ravaged world. The film, premiering at the 78th Locarno Film Festival, follows Jonah (28) as he provides comfort to strangers while struggling to care for 9-year-old Nika in an increasingly isolating environment.
A New Direction in Storytelling
Known for her documentary work (“Where We Belong,” “Almost There”), Zünd collaborates with writer Arne Kohlweyer and cinematographer Nikolai von Graevenitz to craft a visually stunning narrative that feels “like a silent movie.” The international cast includes Levan Gelbakhiani (“And Then We Danced”), Maria Pia Pepe, Agnese Claisse, and Karidja Touré.
Climate Crisis Meets Human Connection
The film explores how external pressures – particularly rising temperatures – affect human relationships and inner worlds. Shot in Milan during intense summer heat, the production itself mirrored the challenging conditions depicted in the story.
Key Production Elements
- Filmed in striking Brutalist architecture locations
- Minimal dialogue emphasizes visual storytelling
- Features international cast speaking English with various accents
- Incorporates innovative visual effects to create empty cityscapes
Zünd’s transition from documentary to fiction filmmaking marks an exciting evolution in her career, with the director already working on a related documentary titled “Heat” for 2026 release.
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