Gérard Mordillat and Christophe Clerc propose, in four parts, “an incentive to reflection” austere and intellectually demanding.
by Alain Constant
Some television programs ask the public special attention, not really allowing the mind to wander. Due to the complexity, the richness and the rigor of the remarks made but also of the assumed austerity of its staging, this documentary series in four parts devoted to property is part of this category of intellectually demanding programs.
It is not surprising to find Gérard Mordillat at the controls of such a program. Three years ago, the prolific author (corpus Christi, Jesus and Islam …) had, in the company of the economist Bertrand Rothé (died in November 2020), shot a documentary in four parts such ambitious entitled work, salary, profit.
The aesthetically aesthetically austere and minimalist bias of a black decor, before which international researchers gave meaning to the notions of capital, profit, salary or employment, was already at work. Three years later, we find the same device for this new documentary series, written in collaboration with Christophe Clerc.
Same black background, same absence of filmed archives, same presence of fifteen lawyers, historians, economists, philosophers from around the world dissect with clarity – but sometimes in a technical jargon difficult to tame – the notions of property .
complex and fascinating
“Property is undoubtedly the best tool to understand our societies. It questions all areas of public life as well as of intimate life. It crosses economics, sociology, philosophy, politics”, underlines Gérard Mordillat, before adding: “This series is an incentive to reflect, in no case a demonstration. If someone wants to defend the idea that capitalist property is beneficial, he will find words from researchers going in this direction, and vice versa. “
What is property? We do not see the same thing depending on whether we follow Roman law or the British common law, for example. Depending on whether we are Western or not. Each company produces its definition of property. “In Africa, property is intimately linked to a community. We are not the own owner of things,” recalls Kako Nubukpo, Togolese economist.
“Property is only democratic because it is not absolute!” Consives the German philosopher Bertram Lomfeld. Each episode of this series deepens a theme: the commodification of the human body, the protection of intangible goods, the possession of natural resources, everything is complex but turns out to be exciting.
In February 2023, the essay of Gérard Mordillat and Christophe Clerc will appear on the threshold. The subject and his thing. And the two authors are already preparing an ambitious third series. It will be articulated around the themes of currency, debt and finance.