Film Lens
Half a Life is a biographical black-and-white documentary directed by Romain Goupil, focusing on Michel Recanati, a militant leader during the May 1968 riots in Paris. The film chronicles the lives of two friends involved in left-wing groups in Paris from 1966 to 1978, culminating in the revelation of Michel's suicide. It intertwines personal narratives with a detailed examination of the political landscape in France during this tumultuous period.
The documentary features original footage filmed over a decade, including student riots and political meetings. Key figures such as Alain Krivine, a leader of the Trotskyist movement, and other prominent members of the French Left, like Maurice Najman and Henri Weber, are interviewed, providing insight into the ideologies and events that shaped the era.
Why Watch
- •See Romain Goupil's unique perspective on 1968 Paris riots.
- •Meet influential figures like Alain Krivine and Henri Weber.
- •Find out about the CAL and LCR revolutionary movements.
Did You Know
•Half a Life won the Caméra d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1982.
•The film documents events from 1966 to 1978, culminating in Michel's suicide.
•Romain Goupil filmed original footage over 10 years before the documentary's release.
•Alain Krivine, a key figure in the film, was a leader of the Trotskyist movement in France.
Perfect For
French political history1960s student movementsDocumentary filmmaking