Elephants & Squirrels background

Elephants & Squirrels

A cultural showdown unfolds as a Sri Lankan artist and the leader of the Wanniyala-Aetto tribe press Swiss museums to repatriate ancestral relics and artifacts, forcing the country to confront its previously unacknowledged colonial legacy.

Sri Lankan artist Deneth Piumakshi Veda Arachchige discovers ancestral remains and cultural objects from the Wanniyala-Aetto community in Swiss museums. The objects were brought by Swiss naturalists using colonial methods, leading to a lengthy process of returning the items to their rightful owners. The film "Elephants and Squirrels" sheds light on Switzerland's involvement in colonialism, exploring power, historical responsibility, and cultural heritage.

Info about Elephants & Squirrels

Studio(s): Soap Factory Productions, Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF)

Originally Released: United States, Oct 28, 2025

Production Country: Switzerland

Genres:Documentary