ICA TO PRESENT THE 10TH DISTRICT COURT: MOMENTS OF TRIAL
(10e CHAMBRE: INSTANTS D'AUDIENCES)
The ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) in London are to show Raymond Depardon’s much-acclaimed new documentary from the 16th June onwards. You can read their press release below:
'A more crisply spoken, Gallic version of Judge Judy... presides over a
microcosm of Parisian society' New York Times
The 10th District Court: Moments Of Trial (10e Chambre: Instants
D'audiences), a riveting pageant of human behaviour on both sides of the
law, does for the Parisian justice system what Etre et Avoir did for
education. From May to July 2003, the legendary photographer and
prolific documentarian Raymond Depardon was granted special permission
to film extensively inside a Paris courtroom, and become the first
filmmaker ever to record a unique insight into the workings of the
French judicial machine.
From a straight drunk-driving summons to the previous night's arrests,
The 10th District Court - Moments of Trial (10e Chambre: Instants
D'audiences) is a new civic documentary that plunges us into the
everyday affairs of a busy local courtroom.
The result emerges as a careful observation of judge, prosecutor and the
ever-changing accused, while displaying an unquenchable sense of
curiosity for character. The star of the show is Madame Justice Michèle
Bernard-Requin, a stern but fair adjudicator with a sharp intelligence
and - if provoked - a temper. Her interrogations are occasionally
terrifying; her compassion, when infrequently doled out, entirely
appropriate. Each of the 12 depicted defendants (from the 169 filmed)
pleads their case, and then sentences are requested. Later, after
deliberation, the verdict is delivered. The suspense is unbearably
palpable. The defendants, be they contrite, defiant, confused or
resigned, turn out to be more astonishing characters than any seen in a
fiction. Depardon allows the natural humour of the testimonies to shine
through without intruding on reality.
Raymond Depardon is one of France's most celebrated photographers.
Represented by Magnum, he is also a leading, award-winning director.
Alongside the UK premiere of The 10th District Court - Moments of Trial
(10e Chambre: Instants D'audiences), the ICA presents a short
retrospective of Depardon's other documentary works, including Delits
flagrants and Profils paysans, parts 1 and 2.
The ICA programme is also accompanied by a further season of films and
photographic works at the Cine lumiere, (Institut Francais).
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