SUR LES TOITS (OVER THE ROOF TOPS)

Director : Nicolas Drolc - Production : Les Films Furax - Genre : Historic documentary - Language : French with english subtitles - Runtime : 95 min

What exactly occured in French prisons between September 1971 and the end of 1972 ?

For the very first time in French history, prison inmates collectively initiated prison revolts that lead to a take over of their prisons, to the occupying of prison roof tops and to the direct communication of their demands to the public. During that time over 35 listed mutinies occured, two of which left a mark on the collective conciousness in France.
The first mutiny took place in Toul, in North East France in early September of 1971. The second mutiny broke out about a month later and 40 kilometers away from Toul, in the prison of Nancy, in the heart of downtown.
Now, 40 years later this film dusts off that long-forgotten page of social struggle, by by putting in the limelight those who lived it, initiated it, repressed and supported this movement of revolts : The Mutineers of Nancy’s prison, a prison warden from Toul, leading lawyer Henri Leclerc, sociologist Daniel Defert and ex-convict, writer and political activist Serge Livrozet.

Trailer (English version)

Trailer (French version)

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