No. 14 · Documentary FeatureFilmmaker Spotlight
THE WITNESS (Conversations with Osvaldo Bayer)
el testigo (conversaciones con osvaldo bayer)
Directed by Norma Cristina Fernández
Argentina · 1 h 48 min
The documentary weaves together powerful images from around the world with four episodes of a lengthy conversation filmed over thirty years of friendship: 1) The failure of capitalism and Soviet socialism. 2) An obsession with Patagonia and the anarchists. 3) A disturbing novel. 4) A look back and a farewell.
Streams 21 September 2026 to 28 September 2026, Berlin time. Every ticket is one Audience Award vote.
Trailer
About the film
Osvaldo Bayer was an Argentine-German intellectual who played a part in momentous historical events in Europe and Latin America. He was a relentless critic and a man who had faith in the human condition. The documentary weaves together powerful images from around the world with four chapters of a lengthy conversation filmed over the course of a thirty-year friendship: 1) the failure of capitalism and Soviet socialism; 2) his obsession with Patagonia and the anarchists; 3) a disturbing novel; 4) a review of his life and his farewell, at the age of 90.
- Runtime
- 1 h 48 min
- Category
- Documentary Feature
- Country
- Argentina
- Year
- 2023
- Language
- Español
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9
Stills
Norma Cristina Fernández
University Professor of Cinematography and Anthopology. Journalist and writer. Human rights consultant. Author of documentaries with social movements and Indigenous communities. She has directed various documentaries presented at national and international film festivals. Her latest works include “The Cries of Silence” (Bestie investigation Award at the International Festival of Santa Fe) and “Camila, from the soul” (Official Selection at BAFICI, Best Documentary Award at the DIVERSA International Festival) “The witness (Conversations with Osvaldo Bayer) was selected for the Naples Human rights Film Festival and the Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano de La Habana, Cuba
— Director’s statement
Me parece fundamental que Osvaldo Bayer sea escuchado en su segunda patria, Alemania, y donde se exilió durante la Dictadura Militar en Argentina.
Credits
- Directed by
- Norma Fernández
- Written by
- Marcelo Burd / Norma Fernández
- Produced by
- Graciela Mazza
- Production company
- La Pluma
- Cinematography
- Enrique Páez / Aníbal Garisto
- Editing
- José Tabarelli
- Sound
- José Tabarelli
- Music
- Pablo Bernaba
- Principal cast
- Osvaldo Bayer
- Also
- Gráfica: Patricio Azor
— Festivals and awards
Festival del Cinema dei Diritti Umani di Napoli Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano, La Habana - Cuba
THE WITNESS (Conversations with Osvaldo Bayer) is part of the Official Selection of the BIUFF Founding Edition 2026.