Elephants & Squirrels (2025) – Screening and Conversation

The Center for Art Law Switzerland hosted our first event of 2026, as part of the CineLöwenbräukunst series.

Elephants & Squirrels follows Sri Lankan artist Deneth Piumakshi Veda Arachchige as she uncovers looted artefacts and human remains of the indigenous Wanniyala-Aetto people, held in Swiss museum collections since the early 20th century, and her determined efforts to secure their repatriation to Sri Lanka. The film is largely in English, with passages in Sinhala and German, and was screened with German subtitles.

The event started with an introduction from film director Gregor Brändli and artist Deneth Piumakshi Veda Arachchige, who reflected on their journey, legacy of colonial collecting and the enduring questions surrounding cultural heritage, restitution, and the ethics of museum stewardship.

The screening was held at schwarzescafé at Luma Westbau [270 Limmatstrasse, 8005 Zürich].