Opium dens, “con gai”, the abandoned wives of the “Petits blancs” (Little Whites), the major expatriate families, Piastre trafficking: from 1930 to 1952, the film traces the history of a French presence in the Far East. The story of the Petits blancs (fictional characters) who set off for adventure and their experiences with the bank, the plantations, the government… gradually paints a depiction, throughout the film, of European expat society. Through these intertwining lives, we pass through an era and through a part of the South-East Asian Continent.

A film by Patrick Jeudy
Editing: Christine Marier
With the voices of Bernard Ferreira and Armelle Protte
Documentalist: Mathilde Guinard
Illustrations : Jérémie Gasparutto
Inspired by the stories of Jean Hougron, Pierre Loti, Hélie de Saint Marc, Louis Gardel, Lieutenant Pierre Guillaume, Pierre Schoendoerffer, Docteur Gindrey, André Lebon, Georges Kowal, Marguerite Duras

A co-production of Compagnie des Phares et Balises & ECPAD

National Broadcaster : France 3, Public Sénat, TV5 Monde

International Sales :
Planète + Canada
Red Media Group Russia

Festivals

Lauriers of radio and television award – Best documentary (2013)