Filmmaker Christophe Cheysson Honors Jacques Perrin, Reflects on Cinema’s Evolution at Médoc Festival
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A moving tribute to the late actor and director Jacques Perrin marked the opening of the inaugural Middle Earth festival – known locally as the Médoc – in Lesparre, France, from October 13 to 19. The festival,themed “Super human,” celebrated everyday heroism and core human values.
The festival’s sponsor, Christophe Cheysson, a celebrated photographer, screenwriter, and assistant director, delivered a heartfelt homage to Perrin, who passed away in 2022. Cheysson and Perrin previously collaborated on the acclaimed 2009 documentary, “Océans.”
“In the small world of cinema that fell into the logic of profitability, Jacques Perrin was undoubtedly one of the last dreamers,” Cheysson declared, visibly moved. “Thank you Jacques for the legacy you leave us, for the extraordinary adventure you gave us.”
Following the tribute,a screening of “Océans” was held,accompanied by a discussion featuring Médoc skipper Lalou Roucayrol and oceanography engineer Dune Stora. The film’s origins are particularly noteworthy; initially conceived as a fictional narrative, budgetary constraints led to its evolution into a purely naturalistic exploration of the world’s oceans.
The Collaborative spirit of “Océans”
Cheysson explained the unique production process of “Océans,” emphasizing the collaborative effort required. “On such a film,” he said, “we send 12 or 13 teams around the world to different places and each team humbly produces its little piece, the director becoming a kind of editor-in-chief who homogenizes thought, galvanizes the troops.” – pro tip: This highlights the importance of strong leadership and coordination in large-scale documentary projects.
He identified this collaborative approach as being similar to his experience working on Jean-Jacques Annaud’s “Two Brothers,” a film shot in Asia with tigers, and a project he considers among his proudest achievements.
A Late Revelation, A Lifelong passion
Cheysson’s own path to a career in cinema was unexpected. He recounted discovering his passion at age 18, after years of academic struggle. “I had extremely poor education, I had failed everything, and I suddenly discovered, with cinema, that I was capable of working 15 hours a day, without feeling like I was working, that I loved it. It was the first surprise and revelation of my life.” – Reader question: How dose this late discovery influence Cheysson’s approach to mentoring young filmmakers?
From Cinema to Civic Duty
Today,Cheysson serves as the mayor of a small town in Burgundy,a role he describes as an effort to “repair an extraordinary life of cinema but little citizenship.” He acknowledged a past disconnect from civic engagement, admitting to frequent international travel and a meaningful carbon footprint. “I was never in France for the elections and I was a bad citizen of the world since I had a frequent flyer card for fifteen years. As a polluter of the planet, today I am trying to repair that.”
Cheysson also expressed a growing disillusionment with the current state of filmmaking. He lamented what he perceives as an “impoverishment of thought” and a decline in respect for artistic achievement, particularly with the shift from film to digital formats. “The films are played on USB sticks and it costs nothing to remove a film from a theater after a single screening.” – You know? the ease of digital distribution presents both opportunities and challenges for filmmakers.
Passing on the Torch
Despite stepping back from mainstream cinema, Cheysson remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers. He now leads short film workshops in middle and primary schools throughout his region.”I withdrew from this life which was remarkably adventurous and exhausting.Now for the young people!” he concluded, emphasizing his commitment to fostering creativity and passion in aspiring storytellers.
