It is behind an obsolete storefront, at 34, rue Daubenton, in the 5ᵉ arrondissement of Paris, that is
The key. If in April 2018, the old cinema officially closed its doors, since the end of September 2019, the arthouse room has been occupied by cinephile squatters. Assessment after more than two years: nearly 15,000 unique spectators attended – at least – one of the more than 500 screenings at free price, organized in this illegally invested space. Films that we would not see anywhere else, explains the collective present on the spot.
This cinema quickly turned into a place of culture that became a symbol of a certain popular resistance within the Latin Quarter. Every evening, a hard core of around thirty people organizes the showing of “rare films, of all genres”, whether they are self-produced or not, and whatever their format. However, the premises belong to the social and economic committee (CSE) of the Caisse d’Epargne Ile-de-France, headed by the
CFE-CGC who wishes to sell the old cinema labeled arthouse. For the collective, the transfer of the walls “would mark the death of this historic cinema, and the cessation of two and a half years of an unprecedented, creative and united occupation”.
Expellable at any time
Yet nothing was written. “At the very beginning, I didn’t think the occupation would last more than a month. I never imagined that such an initiative could last in the center of Paris. We were able to demonstrate that it was possible with all our supporters, is satisfied Eol, one of the occupants of the first hour. We also have great support from local residents. »
The SOS group, champion of the social and solidarity economy, has signed a repurchase agreement in February 2021. The association defends itself against any real estate speculation or desire to transform La Clef into a place of profit. In
a statement, she specifies that she “wants to save this cinema, and make it an associative cinema, the day when it will be possible to access it”. Not enough to reassure the collective gathered under the association Home Cinema. Neither their request for pre-emption by the City of Paris, nor their call to create an endowment fund to help them manage the place, have been heard.
For two weeks, the mobilization has intensified in the face of the new fear of a manu militari expulsion by the police headquarters. “We are afraid, but we believe in it”, confides Albane, who has become an active member, after having been a mere spectator for a long time. “It’s heartbreaking to see that they want to kick us out. According to the last eviction notice received, they had until January 31 to leave the premises “of their own free will”.
“A model of self-management”
This Monday, at the beginning of the evening, microphone in hand, several members speak in turn. “If someone had told me that I was going to send an email to Audiard…”, laughs Dimitri at the turn of a speech. The young volunteer is pleased that several personalities are committed to their side. Among the signatories of a forum publicized by Release include: Jacques Audiard, David Dufresne, Claire Simon, Agnès b., Vincent Macaigne, Denis Lavant, and Agnès Jaoui. The latter was also present at La Clef a few days ago.
“This place is the proof that a different model of self-management is possible”, continues Dimitri a few minutes later. According to him, it is “a quest that makes sense and that goes far beyond a small cinema in the 5th arrondissement”. A sentence very quickly accompanied by applause in the hall and outside the cinema, crowded. “It’s not just people having fun”, also abounds Eol, who in addition to his mitigating commitment, works in the film industry.
In the red armchairs that evening, there are not only regulars. Oscar, 28, and Maxime, 30, are present at the suggestion of their roommate, invested in La Clef. “I wanted to realize what this place represents, because beyond a projection, these are ideals that are at stake there. Its very important. I think we lack places of culture”, summarizes Oscar. An observation more or less shared by Moretta and Violette, in their twenties and both students of Decorative Arts. Motivated by the presence of Leos Carax, it was the first time that they went to La Clef, but they intend to return. “It’s a huge stake actually if it stops,” says Moretta.
Distrust of “evil capitalists”
Outrages that do not please everyone. Asked by 20 minutes, Nicolas Froissard, co-director and spokesperson for the SOS group, considers the position of the collective to be “irrational”. However, he leaves the door open: “Those who want to continue working with La Clef, if we become owners tomorrow, will obviously be able to do so. They will be welcome. »
However, he is annoyed by the distrust unfeigned by Home Cinema. “You just have to look at the social networks. We are the devil, we are the bad capitalists – whereas we are associations –, we are a branch of En Marche…” Jean-Marc Borello, president and founder of Groupe SOS, is indeed committed alongside the presidential party, nevertheless Nicolas Froissard specifies that this is no secret and that it does not concern the association.
Only, the occupants, supported by the spectators and several local elected officials (communists, ecologists and PS), are obviously not close to returning the keys to the cinema. On Monday, several hundred people gathered outside its doors. The two projection rooms could not satisfy everyone.
The director Leos Carax was present that evening for the broadcast ofA room in town by Jacques Demy. This Tuesday morning, it was Rosalie Varda who took up the torch with a second screening of the same film, this time organized from 6 a.m. Spotlights on or off, at any time the threat of eviction remains in the minds of squatters who love the 7th art.