Synopsis
After years exploring remote bat caves, three scientists are catapulted into the harsh spotlight of politics and serious accusations. Once ignored, these early warners must now defend themselves. A visually striking film journey about the role of science in increasingly dark times. With calm, factual clarity, the film reveals how the deliberate fueling and amplification of fears and feverish myths are driving our world out of balance.
At once a dense, far-reaching investigation and a snapshot of our present moment, the film juxtaposes the slow, patient, and meticulous rhythm of scientific inquiry with the urgent, reactive, and often toxic pace of political and media discourse. It offers a compelling demonstration of how, in times of crisis, we tend to seek out loud, simplistic narratives — and scapegoats. A strikingly contemporary tale, emblematic of an era marked by fake news, frozen subsidies, budget cuts, and a pervasive atmosphere of censorship. (Anne Delseth for Visions du Réel)
Protagonists
Linfa Wang
Dr. Linfa Wang is a world-renowned virologist and expert on zoonotic diseases. Often called the "Bat Man" of infectious disease research, he has been at the forefront of studying how viruses like Hendra, SARS and COVID-19 emerge from animal reservoirs. Currently based at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, Dr. Wang’s pioneering work bridges science and public health, emphasizing the urgent need to understand the delicate balance between human activity and wildlife ecosystems.
Zhengli Shi
Dr. Zhengli Shi, often nicknamed "the Bat Woman of China," is a leading virologist and former director of the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. For decades, she has ventured into remote bat caves across China, investigating the natural reservoirs of coronaviruses and warning of their pandemic potential. Dr. Shi now continues her research in Guangzhou, advancing the scientific understanding of emerging zoonotic diseases.
Peter Daszak
Dr. Peter Daszak is a British-born zoologist and disease ecologist. As former president of EcoHealth Alliance, he collaborated internationally to study how viruses spill over from animals to humans. Throughout his career, Dr. Daszak has advocated for a "One Health" approach, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. After EcoHealth Alliance was disbanded, he founded Nature Health Global to continue his mission of preventing future pandemics through science and collaboration.
Jane Qiu
Jane Qiu is an award-winning independent Chinese science journalist known for her in-depth reporting on infectious diseases, ecology, and global health. With a background in molecular biology, Jane brings a rare blend of scientific insights and storytelling artistry to her work. In BLAME, she offers a nuanced perspective from within China, navigating the sensitive terrain between scientific inquiry, cultural complexity, and political tensions.
Philipp Markolin
Dr. Philipp Markolin is a molecular biologist and independent science communicator from Austria and Switzerland. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he dedicated himself to investigating the spread of conspiracy theories and misinformation around the virus’s origins. Through his writing and public work, including his book Lab Leak Fever, Dr. Markolin champions critical thinking and defends the scientific method against politicized narratives.