Jean Genet, le contre exemplaire

Rome, Paris, Marrakesh, Saint-Brieuc and New York, familiar decors of hotel rooms and prison cells... inmates, travesties, illegal immigrants relate their intimate relations with the writer and show how his words continue to echo. This film commemorates the centenary, in December 2010, of the birth of this genius of 20th century French literature.

Directed by Gilles Blanchard, Jean Genet, le contre exemplaire leans on a strong ensemble — Jean Genet, Abdellah Taïa, François Sagat — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2010.