ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, 2022
Description
This video is the result of my collaboration with the gospel choir of the Center Culturel-Jean Cocteau and their choirmaster Julie Gay. It was when I was obsessed with the drama of the assassination of George Floyd, which overwhelmed me with its sheer cruelty, that I was offered to work with a gospel choir. These two things immediately came together to think of a tribute thanks to gospel, the music of African-Americans that carries their suffering through an artistic, poetic form. By transforming the lyrics of songs to lend them the words of Georges Floyd, we find the cathartic qualities of this music. I also had the chance to work with an available, committed choir, which was itself touched by these destinies. It was also one of the singers who told me about the story of Cédric Chauviat when I mentioned George Floyd during rehearsals. She challenged me on the dramas that are also happening in France. The choir is led by its choirmaster Julie, so beautiful and enthusiastic. Her direction of the choir becomes a magnificent dance.
I asked myself the question of showing in this video the images of a man who was murdered. They are publicly broadcast on the networks and the media. His children, his family, his loved ones are confronted with it whether they like it or not. After a lot of reflection, I think that bringing these images into the work is a necessary ethical gesture to become aware of the situation that exists today. By censoring them, they are denied their role as witnesses to the reality, however horrific, of the violence experienced by hundreds of thousands of people. Hiding this criminal act from the people who are supposed to protect us would not be right.