Our TV - our common fault - Novaya Gazeta

^{Scene from “Pirate TV”. Kinopoisk.ru}

irony: at a time when only a small channel “Rain” roll up the asphalt and information drought covers us lead “No!” on the screen comes the film “Pirate TV” about freethinking, arrogant, anarchic TV. On its inspiration, a young Frenchman, who decided on hopes and expectations to business. They live with camera in hand, shooting primarily street. Have you noticed that the big TV pretend that we do not have streets, boulevards and squares with their pulse, lively mood? And surely area, boulevard transformed into a hostile, if space is a meeting place for dissent.

«Pirate TV» Michel Leclerc recalls that teleyaschika not necessarily zombie propaganda, manipulation and other circus in the cold blue ice.

90th. Victor dreams of becoming a film director. Why not dream crane’s reach with a tit hands, or rather with the camera at the ready. On major national TV channels, where he gets an intern, it draws the attention of the country’s main telediva (Emmanuel Beart). But he chooses perpendicular path: with a group of pirates body removes alternative news. They dive into Parisian life, rising from the depths of her conversation with the owner of that funeral, the gay pride parade, the demonstration against abortion, punk party. They are interested in and view ultra-perturbed “Validating” and to “come in large numbers,” pro-Israel rallies and speeches in defense of Palestine, their disputes inspire citizens. And why, instead of the President’s speech on duty New Year live, not by talk with citizens about bread?

plot is reminiscent of French TV channel Télé Bocal (largely “prototype” “Rain”), began in 1995 with modest street reportage, now broadcasting in cable and satellite television networks.

This protest, unpredictable underground TV, and there may be present television, unlike cloned horns authorities representing objectivity in glossy Partitions.

On TV today, its relations with society and cinema speak with the director Michel Leclerc (his painting “The names of the people” has been called by critics encyclopedia French society).

– either film again demonstrates that social and private stranded in France perhaps more than in any other country of the world. Personal problems of people which takes the hero of the program will immediately become social problems discussed, moving in a social context.

– This heritage 60s, when the revolutionaries defended leftist ideas in politics and art. And in the 90th power is wholly owned by the television, and then all the generations of revolutionaries fought with TV. At that moment, the struggle on many fronts, which is still ongoing. For example, the desire to protect the rights of minorities (we created a program PACS), and illegal immigrants. All these themes are reflected in the film.

– Curious as to talk about the idea of ??free television cinematographer infected?

– To some extent, this is my story. In the 90s, when I started working, I was helped to get a largest commercial broadcaster. Around the same time, I met a group of anarchists otvyaznyh. They hated the instructions above, filmed exclusively what was interesting to them. They became the nucleus of Télé Bocal. Channel still exists, it was filmed some scenes of the film. Five years we were together. Our personal life and work were inseparable. Occurred in our communication complex, dramatic moments. But we all hated the official and commercial television. Many of those enthusiasts become filmmakers. I myself then was dissatisfied with myself: I had to make money, I was forced to work on the “corrupt television commercial,” and in his spare time to work against him.

– Exactly experiencing a split personality and your character. Besides Victor – cinephile, in love with the “new wave”, and even looks after itself Woman similar to Anna Karina, Godard’s muse, Rossellini, Visconti, Fassbinder. Yes, and the film shot in the borderlands between cinema and television broadcasts.

– I tried to mix styles, genres. Like that the screen smelling reality documentary. Some outdoor events, processions were staged, some filmed reportage. For example, in this demonstration against abortion, and our hero learns that his girlfriend is pregnant …

– Today, film and television, as ever closer, I mean quality sitcoms. But the film is cited saying sniper Godard: “Watching the movie, you look up, television – down.” What do you think, can the TV rise to the level of art?

– now writing a script for a television movie, it’s a scene in which the characters have to be naked. And here’s the paradox: if I made a movie, would remove this scene as it is written, and then, perhaps, the film would be shown on TV. But shooting for the TV, I do it strictly prohibited.

– How did you get out of position …

– We’ll have to get out. Characters will certainly be naked, but someone will take place in the foreground. But seriously, I think the distance between the TV and film increases. For example, a film like “Life Adele” on TV not only to stay, but it is impossible to show. In the author’s cinema director retains inner freedom. And in the movie viewer chooses on which movie to go, the viewer includes box, accidentally groping on the remote one or another product. “TV producer” shield and directed his taste, his addiction.

– Television – the most powerful political force. But your film is another paradox: it is fighting for the television freedom of expression.

– You’re right, the TV can not support the dominant vector in politics. Our “Pirate TV” can not be equated with a TV, it is closer to the performance. Once such an “amateur channel” looked in the public space. People gathered at clubs, restaurants, on the street. It was about 30 points in Paris. Now arose and the Internet. This is television, which combines. We show it as an alternative to the official TV …

– Rocker, whose power is sometimes stronger than the government itself.

– I think that the heyday of the TV, it might have fallen to 90th. With the advent of the Internet changed all that. We used to have six major channels, they showed what they wanted. Today, there are more than fifty in each house, it became more difficult to influence, “guide”. The Internet offers other ideas, access to information.

– Emmanuelle Beart plays a famous TV star. And you star on the set with the young actors playing …

– Interestingly, Bear plays character committed mismatched with her character. Emmanuel is one of the first fought for the rights of illegal immigrants in France has always supported the policies of the left. I am familiar with her mother, a true communist. She never behaves like a moody diva and by the way, revealing rarely on TV.

– Your “pirate TV” from the official distinguished primarily by the fact that just shows the street life, the lives of ordinary people. Why public and private TV so afraid of this life? Why in the box people, relationships – all artificial?

– I think just a goal at the other TV. Money, efforts are aimed at making people hate someone, someone jealous, eventually forgot about their own opinion. Look at any talk show! Vbrasyvaya negative, hatred, envy, she raschelovechivayut us. In Rome applied Damnatio ad bestias when convicted on a circus ring thrown to the beasts. And this show was one of the most popular among the audience. But we are responsible for these kind of “show” we are responsible for our choices. I also sometimes watch such programs, then I feel ashamed. Our TV – our common wine.