Coup de soleil sur Millau
Éric Pittard
2000 - 54 min - Vidéo - Couleur - France

On 30 June 2000 the trial took place of José Bové and 9 of his farmer companions who, a year previously, had attacked MacDonald’s in Millau.
The arrest of José Bové, photographed, handcuffed and smiling radiantly, made known the movement initiated by the Confédération Paysanne. José Bové became the emblematic figure of unhealthy eating and the symbol of resolute opposition to liberal globalisation.
On 30 June 2000, the Confédération Paysanne organised, on the occasion of the trial, a great festive gathering with forums, debates and a concert with Francis Cabrel, Noir Désir and Zebda. Over 100,000 people turned up to witness, discuss, sing and contribute their support to the accused and the ideas they defend.
How could we give an account of this event ? How could we be actors and lookers-on ? We got together several cameras. I was holding one and I gave out several (to Rémy and Hakim from Zebda, Jean-Emile Sanchez, one of the accused farmers, Ahmed, a 13 year old kid born in Millau and a member of the support committee...)
So, we set off like that, improvising our role of reporters at the same time as our role as actors since, one and another, we were present to act and to provide our contribution to this event which mixed trial, discussions, talking, music... as a way to think of politics without politicians, with both feet and both hands firmly in the reality of today’s world.