from the street to the cinema, Jean-Pierre, homeless, recounts his daily life on the big screen

It is part of the Rennes landscape. With his beard and his long white hair, Jean-Pierre arrived in Rennes 25 years ago. From, he lives on the street. And in a quarter of a century, he accumulated blankets, clothes, pallets and other objects necessary for his daily life. He carries his possessions with him, from squats to street corners, using his rolling cart.

And while many know him by sight, few have ever actually spoken to him. For some 325 people, the evening of Friday January 17, 2025 was an opportunity to get to know him. First through an interposed screen, by discovering the short film by Hugo Murtas and Frédéric Le Guennec, Jean-Pierre, street poetbroadcast at the L’Arvor cinema. Then, by daring to ask a question during a tense microphone exchange.

A little later, some people took a step that he had never taken before and went to speak directly to Jean-Pierre, to thank him for sharing a piece of his daily life.

Liberty or life

Speaking with this 63-year-old Rennais is first of all discovering his phrasing punctuated with “there you go” and “well yeah”. It’s also about letting yourself be surprised by his humor and his joy of living despite his difficult living conditions.

“When I was asked to be filmed, I thought that anything is possible. I had already seen televisions There is nothing that bothers me in life. So there you have it. We have to move forward and take every opportunity,” he says.

I’m known, when you’ve been here for 25 years, people know you. You are a trace. They may not know your first name but at least your face. So there you have it.

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Without taboo, he explains that living on the street is a choice. “There’s nothing easy, freedom is the most beautiful thing. When you can control your freedom, that’s ideal. » A desire that has always stuck with him, like during his youth traveling across Brittany “to collect poultry”. “We didn’t have schedules, we weren’t like people who are stuck in traffic to get to work,” says Jean-Pierre.

Poetry and its four-color pencil

To help him pass the time and overcome loneliness, the Rennais can count on Nougatine, his dog. “For friendship first, and then it’s essential in the street. When I sleep, she watches. »

Jean-Pierre also dedicates his time to poetry. In his 96-page notebooks, he unfolds the words that come to him while contemplating nature and the street. Equipped with his four-color pencil, he alternates the inks with each paragraph. An important symbol for him. “Green can be for hope or for ecology, for example,” he smiles.

After the screening of the short film, Jean-Pierre shared his latest creation with the spectators. A song which he wrote to thank the co-directors of the film. Helped by a volunteer from Restos du coeur, his text was put to music and broadcast at the end of the session. A surprise gift, like its author, who never stopped smile throughout the evening.

A new broadcast of the short film Jean-Pierre, street poet will take place at the L’Arvor cinema on Sunday January 26, 2025, at 11 a.m.

Arvor Cinema, 11 rue de Châtillon in Rennes. Screening Sunday April 26, at 11 a.m. Entrance: 4.90 euros (3.50 euros with the Sortir!) card. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Jean-Pierre. Reservation with Arvor. Tickets online soon.

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