From the dry wit of Charles de Gaulle to the communication strategy of Emmanuel Macron and the cheeky banter of Jacques Chirac, each of the French Presidents has had his very own distinctive sense of humour. Humour and politics have always gone hand in hand... It's a means of seduction, a diplomatic tool, a way of unwinding in the harsh world of politics, an antidote to too much gravity, and a way of sidestepping a tricky situation. Between bursts of laughter and diplomatic faux pas, this collection of anecdotes allows you to get a fresh look at French presidents, seen in the light of their singularly French sense of humour. 

A film written and directed by Michel Royer
Edited by Véronique Leroy
With the voice of Charline Vanhoenacker
And imitations by Didier Gustin, Marc-Antoine Le Bret
Image: Mickael Royer
Sound and image assistant: Hugo Chabeur
Sound: Adriano Cerone

Production: CPB Films and INA
Broadcaster France: Planète+
With the collaboration of RTBF & TV5 Québec Canada
With the support of the CNC
International sales: CLPB Rights

 © Cie des Phares & Balises - INA - 2020