Par
Laurene Fertin
Published on
Jan 3, 2025 at 12:03 p.m.
See my news
Follow News Rennes
Audio version generated by IA
You’ve already come across him. Once, definitely. Ten, twenty, thirty times, possibly. Perhaps you have already exchanged a few words with him. Jean-Pierre63 years old, is homeless and has been wandering for more than 20 years the streets of Rennes.
In République, rue de la Monnaie or even rue de Brest not far from the Tour des Horizons, he sets up and then hangs out his rolling cart made of odds and ends; weighted down with heavy shopping bags, followed by the trot of his dog, Nougatine.
A life outside, deliberately chosen, through which he writes many poems. This is also what inspired the short documentary film Jean-Pierre, street poet filmed from 2023 by two journalists, Hugo Murtas and Frédéric Le Guennec.
In three six-minute episodes, a unique projection will be broadcast at the Arvor cinema in the Breton capital, Friday January 17, 2025.
“Do something beautiful and inspiring”
Through the images, we immerse ourselves in the life of Jean-Pierre. We don’t know who he was, but we discover his personality, his way of looking at existence. The sleeve “without ever stretching out his hand”, the cart that he pushes every day, his tea taken in (slightly) dubious cups, his facial expressions, “his punchlines”… Jean-Pierre is filmed in his privacy.
“Jean-Pierre chose to live on the street, it’s a real choice, a choice to be able to be free, at least that’s what he told us,” says Hugo Murtas, who met him for the first time two years ago. A decisive meeting in the career of the journalistactu.fr.
I wanted to write something about him, an article. And then I realized that more important work could be done by several people. I wanted to do it with a director friend, Frédéric Le Guennec, who taught me how to film because I had barely held a camera in my life.
“A strength of character”
In notebooksJean-Pierre writes worms. Some of his notebooks were entrusted to the Red Cross through marauding and meals distributed.
“It happens that some of his poems are incomprehensible but on the whole what he writes is beautiful and relevant, even confusing”slips the young journalist who was struck by his witticism.
By his way of being, by his way of being in the street, by the notebooks he fills in: everything makes him a poet. Jean-Pierre lives in the middle of waste and yet, he is full of hope. He can be very serious as well as very joking. He always has the right word.
It was unthinkable, then, to make a miserable film. Quite the contrary. “Jean-Pierre has an impressive strength of character,” explains Hugo Murtas, “he never complains: this is the man we wanted to show. »
One less ankle
“I fought for this project to succeed,” smiles Hugo Murtas. Both on a material and physical level. To carry out a plan, the journalist broke his ankle while Jean-Pierre was pushing his cart at full speed… “I had to get ahead, I ran, put my foot in a hole… but with In hindsight, it was worth it!”
A short film in three chapters
The short film lasting 20 minutes in total will be presented at the Arvor cinema, Friday January 17 from 7 p.m. The team, made up of the two directors, as well as two volunteer composers and editors, will be available to discuss on site.
“Jean-Pierre was of course invited and will be present in the room – normally,” slips Hugo Murtas.
This projection is currently unique even if the authors’ ambition is to bring this short documentary to life through broadcasts during the year 2025.
Arvor Cinema, 11, rue de Châtillon in Rennes. Free entry. Friday, January 17, at 7 p.m. Confirmation of your presence is required at this address: [email protected]
Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.
