During an exceptional Master Class, filmmaker Robert Guédiguian shared his vision of cinema, political engagement, and the human condition. He discussed the importance of doubt, the necessity of telling stories that embody ideas, and his deep reflection on the issue of refugees. A look back at an inspiring and humane encounter.
Robert Guédiguian, an engaged director and a major figure in French cinema, is known for his films with political and social themes. During this Master Class, he addressed subjects central to his work: questioning convictions, the role of storytelling in cinema, and hospitality toward refugees. With disarming sincerity, he offered a profound reflection on how to make cinema today while staying true to his ideals.
The Art of Questioning
Throughout his work, Guédiguian consistently questions convictions, including his own. In films like The Town is Quiet or A Crazy Story, characters embody ideals but are often faced with moral and political dilemmas. “We must show reality from another angle, challenge what seems obvious,” explains the filmmaker. This dialectical approach, where ideas oppose and evolve, gives his films a particular depth.
For him, storytelling must allow for this change of perspective. It “is stronger than information” because it allows ideas to be embodied, to be brought to life. “Like in Greek theater, it’s a battle between embodied ideas,” he emphasizes, referencing the importance of dialogue in creating true drama, a story in motion.
“Humanity is Hospitality”
The issue of refugees is a central theme in Guédiguian’s life and work. “We have no right to make a contemporary film that doesn’t address this issue,” he asserts with conviction. For the filmmaker, welcoming refugees is the very definition of humanity. “Inhumanity is inhospitality,” he says, unequivocally condemning the nationalist and racist rhetoric that has spread around the world.
He reminds us that no one leaves their homeland by choice, but out of necessity. This reality, often ignored or caricatured, is at the heart of his concerns. He criticizes current migration policies, which he describes as the “externalization of the problem.” He advocates for a humanitarian and solidarity-based response, far from punitive or rejectionist strategies.
Refugees in History and Memory: Missak Manouchian, a Universal Figure
In his film The Army of Crime, Guédiguian pays tribute to Missak Manouchian and the Red Poster resistance fighters, foreigners who died for France. These combatants, usually seen as “foreigners,” fought for ideals that transcend borders. “They did not die for Pétain, they died for the France of human rights,” he clarifies, recalling that their fight was not just patriotic but profoundly universal.
This film, like most of Guédiguian’s works, questions the commitment of refugees to causes that go beyond nations. He tirelessly emphasizes that this history remains relevant, as conflicts and exiles continue today.
“The Narrative Must Make Room for Magic”
Beyond political engagement, Guédiguian’s cinema is characterized by a profoundly human and poetic dimension. “There is magic in everyday life,” he confides. This attention to detail and quest for sincerity are evident in each of his films, where narrative and emotion take precedence over pure political discourse.
For him, actors play a key role in this narrative magic. Whether professional or not, he admires their ability to embody and give life to ideas. They remain connected to the reality of their characters. The alchemy between engagement and humanity, performance and sincerity, strengthens Guédiguian’s cinema.
An Unwavering Commitment and Openness to the World
Through this Master Class, Robert Guédiguian reminded us that his commitment remains intact. His cinema, both political and human, questions certainties and denounces injustices while celebrating dignity. True to his convictions, Guédiguian also leaves room for doubt and questioning. He offers a cinema that resonates with our time while remaining universal.
