Lynne Sachs on Her Detective-Led Documentary 'Every Contact Leaves a Trace' and Ji.hlava Festival Debut

U.S. artist and documentarian Lynne Sachs, known for her experimental approach to nonfiction, is attending the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival in person this year for the first time, serving on the First Lights jury for debut documentaries. Sachs has long screened her work at the Czech festival, but this marks a new level of involvement, allowing her to engage with emerging global voices. Her latest film, 'Every Contact Leaves a Trace,' takes an unconventional route: Sachs hired a private detective to help reconstruct a life story, blending investigative methods with personal memory. The title references Locard's exchange principle, underscoring her interest in how objects and places retain human presence. By collaborating with a detective, Sachs pushes documentary form, questioning who has the authority to tell a story and how facts are assembled. At Ji.hlava, Sachs notes the festival's strength in showcasing films that 'span the globe while showcasing the full range of filmmaking,' reflecting her own boundary-crossing practice. Her jury role highlights her commitment to nurturing new talent and expanding the documentary genre beyond traditional narratives. Sachs' presence at Ji.hlava signals a continued evolution in documentary storytelling—one that embraces collaboration, investigation, and the poetry of evidence.