Monsieur M, 1968

2011 55mMovie

Documentary

A voice says: in the house next door, there was a lonely old man. When he died, diaries were found in which, probably throughout his life, he had recorded the various events of his daily life. A hand opens the one for 1968. A fine, manic handwriting lists: things seen on TV - talking about technical progress and happy tomorrows - a long walk with "Mère" through the streets of Montreuil, little anecdotes from the cartography workshop at the Institut Géographique National (where Monsieur M works), the fridge breaking down... Surprises too, like the first time he gives a coin to a beggar, or when "Père" brings the forgotten snack to work. And at regular intervals: "I wash myself thoroughly"... A well-adjusted life, in short, until early May, when echoes of the world in turmoil make their way into the notebook: riots, general strike...