Forest Communities
Context
Every year, forest fires strike Occitanie. To raise awareness of the Legal Obligations for Clearing (L.O.D.), "Forest Communities" in the region wanted to give a voice to those who are experiencing these fires up close: mayors and residents of municipalities recently affected by fire outbreaks.
Our approach
The challenge is to transform an institutional order into more personal stories. Rather than a classic question-and-answer format, we have designed a series of portraits where the testimonies are edited in a documentary style.
Creative direction and field documentation
Each shoot begins with an informal meeting. We prepare the interview with the witness, then we accompany him to his field or in his commune to discuss before appearing in front of the camera. The filming was done in natural light and with a small team, this less intimidating configuration facilitates the testimony. The video is organized into chapters (the method, before, during, after, and the role of the O.L.D.) punctuated by shots of fires filmed in the studio, a visual bias which energizes the editing. The testimonies are supplemented by photos taken on the day of the fires by the interviews, these images are integrated with tailor-made transitions. the film ends with drone shots to reveal the extent of the damage from the fires.