Clap Actions recently presented its heartfelt film “Fenwick,” by Lena Ichkhanian.
Starting from the traces left by the Yellow Vest movement, “Fenwick” embarks on a journey through France in search of a word, a face, a breath: that of social anger.
Before the film screening, a whole event was organized. “After touring the neighborhoods of Carmaux with music to announce the film, we met the troupe of popular education theater in front of the statue of Jean Jaurès, and Philippe’s barrel organ for a first concert,” said Suzanne, a member of Clap-Actions. “Then we strolled to the entrance of the cinema.”
In the cinema lobby, the audience browsed books from the Hibernia bookstore and attended the second barrel organ concert while picking up tickets and pencils to write a few words on the writing table.
Then Suzanne and Marcou presented the film, the filming conditions throughout France, and the director’s choices regarding the testimonies, as well as the context of this film on the Yellow Vests, more than 7 years later.
After the highly applauded film, a lively debate began, with mostly positive comments and a great appreciation for the scene where the Fenwick breaks down the door of the ministry, acknowledging that the Yellow Vests in charge did not enter to destroy everything. However, there were also reactions to the violence suffered by the Yellow Vests and reservations about the interview with the police officer.
“The debate also opened up other avenues for collective projects that are emerging locally in an alternative way, as can be those of the Yellow Vests, like an initiative of a theater troupe from popular education that made its debut with the first performance during our stroll!” Suzanne points out. The debate continued in the cinema lobby over a glass of friendship.
And as written on the Yellow Vests’ cards. “What are we doing today?” “We’re not giving up” and “7 years ago there was anger, it’s still here!”
