Henri Langlois pulls another film reel from his pocket. His fingers, stained with celluloid, unwind not just a spool, but the very history of cinema itself. This 2025 documentary delves into the controversial figure who rescued the world's cinematic heritage from oblivion, often operating at the edge of the law. The film transports us to post-war Paris, where Langlois scavenged through basements and attics for what others deemed trash. It reveals not only his obsession but his complex relationships with authorities, colleagues, and the art form he deified. The documentary unfolds as a detective story where every recovered frame is evidence in a case of passion bordering on madness.
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🔍 Search on JustWatch →The director constructs the narrative as an archival thriller, where each document is a plot twist and witness interviews feel like courtroom testimony. The camera glides over stacks of film canisters, transforming storage chaos into a visual poetry of obsession.
What lingers is the realization that geniuses often break rules to create new ones. A quiet gem for those who believe passion can outlast any system. — MovieFinder Editorial
Director: Audrey Crespo-Mara
Best Watched
In a library reading room, flipping through old magazines with faded photographs.
Audrey Crespo-Mara
Self (Thierry Ardisson's wife) : Interviewer
Thierry Ardisson
Self (Audrey Crespo-Mara's husband) : Interviewed
Manon Ardisson
Self (Thierry Ardisson's daughter) : Interviewed
Ninon Ardisson
Self (Thierry Ardisson's daughter) : Interviewed
Gaston Ardisson
Self (Thierry Ardisson's son) : Interviewed
Patrick Ardisson
Self (Thierry Ardisson's brother) : Interviewed
Catherine Barma
Self (Thierry Ardisson's producer) : Interviewed
Anne Méaux
Self (Thierry Ardisson's friend) : Interviewed
Laurent Baffie
Self (Thierry Ardisson's friend) : Interviewed
Philippe Corti
Self (Thierry Ardisson's friend) : Interviewed
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