Lionel Baier studied literature at the University of Lausanne before directing his first films in the early 2000s. Alternating between documentary and fiction, he has built a body of work that is regularly showcased at international festivals, notably in Cannes and Locarno. In 2022, he took part in the Directors’ Fortnight with Continental drift (south). His most recent feature film, The safe house, an adaptation of Christophe Boltanski’s novel, was released in 2024 and stands as his latest work.