CAMERAMEN

Fourty years ago, in May 1981, with François Mitterrand's election, some people were letting themselves dream about a better life while others were predicting the coming of soviet tanks upon the Champs-Élysées. If we gladly remember the turning point of austerity in 83, there were also the wage rises, the fifth week of paid leave, the abolition of death penalty, the decriminalisation of homosexuality, or the advent of independent radio stations. Rare archives and accounts by those who were at the heart of this story give an overview of it and shed light on lesser-known aspects.

Samuel and Agnes are blocked in an elevator just after Agnes has stolen Samuel's bag. In this enclosed space with no exit, the attacker and victim confront each other, before finally letting their masks drop.

In the maternity ward, Céline awaits the arrival of her first child. It is Jeanne, her partner, who will bring her into the world. At night, in the entrance hall of the hospital, she meets men who are waiting, like herself.

Sasha crosses Marseille from her building on the city's heights to the port. On her way, she encounters men's insistent glances. The city is beautiful, lively, sunny, concrete. Sasha's walk is a tangle of glances, strained silences, and city gusts. Arriving at the Mucem pier, she waits for someone who doesn't come.

Lazare lives with a roommate, Jacques, his best friend. Jacques decides to organize a date for Lazare, and contact a woman, Céline, through a meeting application. The ring bells.

January, 2007: I am back in Cairo. For work. You have changed your phone number, Omar. I must find you... I love you. Abdellah.

Two bored extras from the ‘Tristan and Isolde’ opera roam the underground of the Garnier Palace.

Franck is a soccer agent. Today, he's picking up Adama at the airport, a promising young Malian goalkeeper, to sign his first professional contract.

Nabil is set to deliver a meal inside the offices of a major bank, but the receptionist curtly denies him access. Moved by the young man's visible distress, a security guard opens a fire escape for him. Nabil slips deeper into the building's hidden depths.

Jeanne left Luc, at least for three weeks. But Jeanne is still very much here: in the coffee foam, on the opposite pavement or in a matchbox. Slumped at the bar, Luc is moping around. He is waiting to see her again or to forget her. A pile of scratch cards, a call made by no one and a strange psychic are so many reminders for his chagrin. Only three weeks left, minus one day… Well, not even one day, minus a few hours…