Heat Doc: A Cinematic Mirage in the Desert

Swiss filmmaker Jacqueline Zünd's latest work, the documentary 'Heat,' is set to premiere at the 57th edition of the Visions du Réel festival in Nyon, Switzerland, on April 20, 2026. This follows her fiction feature debut, 'Don't Let the Sun,' which also explored climate change's impact on inner lives.

The new documentary is set in the intensely hot Persian Gulf, where temperatures can exceed 50 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit). 'Heat' uses stylized imagery and sound to convey the oppressive nature of extreme temperatures.

Zünd aims to translate heat visually, describing her approach as seeking a "cinematic Fata Morgana." The film examines how heat influences character, economic conditions, and social disparities, revealing underlying issues within the climate crisis.

Featured in the film are Sophy, a young Kenyan working in a Dubai ice bar for the wealthy, and Essa, a Kuwaiti meteorologist attempting to raise awareness about climate realities. Their stories illustrate the harsh contrasts between privilege and struggle.

Producer Louis Mataré notes that 'Heat' blends societal relevance with striking aesthetics, employing techniques from Zünd's previous films like structuring narratives around a single day and using inner voices. The film amplifies character traits, moods, and emotions, particularly highlighting economic and social disparities.

The documentary emphasizes the widening gap between the rich and the poor. Those with means can escape the heat by staying in air-conditioned environments, while migrant workers, compelled to work outdoors, suffer the most severe consequences. The film touches upon the unspoken reality of heatstroke deaths among migrant workers in the region.

Zünd sought to make the condition of heat cinematically tangible, capturing vertigo, loss of control, and distorted perceptions. While 'Heat' is a powerful exploration of climate's human impact, Zünd has indicated a need for a break before embarking on future projects.