Peter Mettler is a Swiss-Canadian filmmaker, cinematographer, photographer and multimedia artist. He has been making films, videos and installations since 1979. He has made more than twenty-five films, including the feature-length works Gambling, Gods and LSD (2002), Picture of Light (1994) and The End of Time (2012). His films have won numerous awards, including the Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, a Genie Award for Best Documentary, an International Emmy Award and numerous other awards.
Mettler was born in Zurich, Switzerland in 1959. He moved to Canada in 1974 and studied film at Ryerson University in Toronto. After graduating, he moved back to Switzerland and worked as an editor for television.
In 1985, Mettler made his first feature-length film, Gambling, Gods and LSD. The film tells the story of three Swiss youths who embark on a journey of self-discovery in the wake of a religious experience. The film was an international success and won the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
In 1994, Mettler released his second feature-length film, Picture of Light. The film is a lyrical portrait of the Canadian north, with a focus on the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. The film won the Genie Award for Best Documentary.
In 2002, Mettler released his third feature-length film, The End of Time. The film is an exploration of the relationships between science, philosophy and spirituality. The film was nominated for the International Emmy Award for Best Documentary.
In addition to his feature-length films, Mettler has made many short films, videos and installations. His works have been shown in galleries, museums and festivals around the world.
Mettler has won numerous awards for his work, including the Cinema Eye Honors, the Hot Docs Outstanding Achievement Award and the Toronto International Film Festival's Best Canadian Feature Film award. He has also been nominated for Academy Awards for his films Picture of Light and The End of Time.
Mettler continues to make films and photographs that explore the relationships between nature, technology and spirituality. He is an artist who is unafraid to push boundaries and explore new ideas. He is a master of his craft and a true innovator.
