Witnessing a Decade of Transformation: Life, Loyalty, and the Lens

The Genesis of a Ten-Year Narrative: Unveiling Gabin's World

Maxence Voiseux, a French documentary director, demonstrates remarkable dedication and an immersive approach in his inaugural feature, 'Gabin.' For ten years, he meticulously documented the life of a young individual, tracing his development from age eight to eighteen. This period highlights Gabin's internal struggle between embracing his family's agricultural heritage, a path envisioned by his father, and cultivating his burgeoning personal dreams. The film is poised for its global premiere at the Directors' Fortnight, a segment of the Cannes Film Festival scheduled for May 14.

Artois: A Landscape of Loyalty and Longing

Gabin, the youngest son of the Jourdel family, resides in the pastoral region of Artois in northern France. As described in the film's promotional materials, this is a place where leaving can feel like an act of betrayal, yet remaining comes with its own set of sacrifices. Predestined to inherit his father's butchery business, Gabin finds himself at a crossroads, torn between familial duty, the urgent need to salvage the farm from financial distress, and his profound desire for independence.

Director's Vision: Capturing the Unseen Heritage

Voiseux explains his motivation to chronicle this often-overlooked rural environment, stating, 'I focus my lens on the vestiges of this heritage: individuals whose lives have seldom been easy.' He describes his childhood perception of Artois as a harsh and somber place, which later transformed into a rich cinematic backdrop, its inhabitants embodying compelling, novelistic characters. It was in Artois, he recounts, that his ambition to become a filmmaker first took root, and he pays careful homage to its working-class foundations.

From Local Livestock to Deep Familial Bonds

The filmmaker's connection to Gabin's family began in 2014, during the production of his graduation short, 'Of Men and Beasts,' which focused on the livestock market in Arras, Artois. It was there he first encountered Gabin's grandfather, subsequently meeting his three sons, with whom he collaborated on 'The Heirs,' his first medium-length documentary. 'Gabin' was written and directed by Voiseux, featuring cinematography by François Chambe and Martin Roux, and edited by Pascale Hannoyer and Natali Barrey. The production team includes Cécile Lestrade and Elise Hug of Alter Ego Production, alongside co-producers Ulla Lehmann of Ama Film and Palmyre Badinier of Rita Productions, in collaboration with SWR/ARTE and RTS Radio Télévision Suisse. Arizona Distribution is responsible for the French distribution of 'Gabin,' with Lightdox managing international sales.

The Intimacy of Extended Filming: Challenges and Triumphs

Ahead of the documentary's premiere, Voiseux shared insights into the challenges and rewards of committing to such a long-term project. He estimates spending between 100 to 115 days filming. However, he emphasizes that the most crucial aspect was the sheer duration of time spent simply existing alongside Gabin. 'Many of these interactions are subtly woven into the film, though not explicitly shown,' he notes, highlighting the extensive preparation and conversations that occurred off-camera between shooting sessions.

Blurring Lines: When Filmmaker Becomes Family

Voiseux often felt like a relative during his visits, with Gabin occasionally introducing him as a cousin to simplify social interactions. Yet, the director acknowledges that his professional role was always understood. He reflects on the evolving dynamic: 'Over time, they realized I was processing their shared experiences, contemplating what to include or exclude from the film, and I sought their input.' The extended presence of the camera eventually meant that Gabin had spent more of his formative years under Voiseux's lens than without it, making the film an integral part of both their lives.

The Symbiotic Relationship Between Subject and Creator

The film frequently served as a catalyst for deeply personal conversations, particularly concerning Gabin's aspirations. Despite moments of stress for all involved, their commitment to the documentary remained unwavering. Voiseux admits to the difficulty in discerning where life ended and the film began, or how one influenced the other. 'They utilized the film as a means to enhance their lives, to facilitate certain outcomes,' he explains. 'Sometimes it was unclear whether actions were for themselves, for the movie, for everyone, or a combination thereof. It became a profound intermingling of life and cinema.'

From Cousins to Brothers: A Bond Beyond the Camera

After years of mutual affection and the pretense of being cousins, Gabin eventually visited Voiseux in Paris, sharing aspects of his life with the filmmaker in an unprecedented manner. This pivotal moment solidified their relationship, transforming it 'from cousins to brothers,' according to the director. Now that the film is complete, their bond has shifted again. 'It's a bit peculiar,' Voiseux muses. 'Now, it's just him and me, without the camera, without the filmmaking process. Our conversations are solely about life, not cinema.'

A Universal Story of Emancipation and Identity

Before the final cut was sent to Cannes, Voiseux ensured Gabin's comfort and approval, traveling to Canada for a private screening. 'We rented a small cinema and watched it together. It was incredibly moving. By the end, Gabin was in tears,' he recalls. To Voiseux's immense satisfaction, Gabin felt truly seen, heard, and accurately portrayed, remarking that the film was 'precise and very close to his heart.' This outcome, Voiseux emphasizes, was only possible due to the immense trust cultivated over time and his unwavering focus on his subjects' desires. The filmmaker firmly believes that the more localized and specific a narrative, the greater its universal resonance. He hopes that audiences globally will connect with Gabin's journey of loyalty to family and region, combined with his yearning to forge his own destiny. Voiseux concludes: 'Gabin' is a powerful tale of a young man driven by the spirit of emancipation and a deep connection to the Artois regio