Daniel Schmid

Daniel Walter Schmid (26 December 1941 – 5 August 2006) was a Swiss theatre and film director whose eclectic body of work spanned three decades and left an indelible mark on European art cinema. Born in the remote alpine village of Flims‑Waldhaus in the canton of Graubünden, he grew up amidst dramatic landscapes that later inspired the atmospheric mood of many of his films. After early experience as an assistant director on several German television productions in the late 1960s, Schmid made his directorial debut in 1970 with the experimental TV film Thut alles im Finstern, eurem Herrn das Licht zu ersparen, establishing a reputation for blending surreal imagery with theatrical sensibility. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s he continued to push boundaries with titles such as Shadow of Angels (1976) and Hécate (1982), the latter earning a place in the competition at the 33rd Berlin International Film Festival and showcasing his skill at weaving mythic narratives with contemporary concerns. His 1999 film Beresina, oder Die letzten Tage der Schweiz was selected for the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes, confirming his status as a filmmaker capable of both national critique and international appeal. In addition to directing, Schmid frequently wrote his own screenplays, produced documentaries—including a portrait of Kabuki star Tamasaburō Bando—and occasionally appeared as an actor in European productions such as The American Friend (1977). He served on the jury of the 38th Berlin International Film Festival in 1988, reflecting his respected position within the cinematic community. A documentary on his life, Daniel Schmid – Le chat qui pense, premiered in San Francisco in 2011, ensuring that his innovative spirit continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers.