Private Project

Jeannot

On the cliffs of the French and Italian Alpes-Maritimes, the name of Jean Gounand resonates like a legend.

Through an committed first ascent, a daring variation, an adjustable wooden corner or a simple piton stamped “JG” left to protect a bad move, Jean has left his mark on countless routes.

Baou de Saint-Jeannet, Corno Stella, Cougourde, so many emblematic summits of which he knows all the routes. Jean has climbed his favorites more than fifty times!

At the age of 83, the passion for the mountains that has inhabited him throughout his life is stronger than ever. It is always with boundless energy, the same desire and the same wonderment that he sets out to climb.

Jean's long mountaineering journey is studded with magnificent achievements, even though he had to juggle the long weeks of a mechanical manufacturing factory worker. Contemporary and rope partner of mountaineering figures such as Patrick Berhault, he has been involved in the evolution of climbing for more than half a century.

Rope partner of many women mountaineers, Jean contributed to the feminization of the activity by introducing his friends and helping them gain confidence to embark on ambitious climbs. Jean's achievements with his female partners have inspired several female climbers to make themselves a place in a predominantly male environment.

At the invitation of his friend Stéphane Benoist, Jean agreed to share his adventure stories and anecdotes in front of the camera.

It was with his characteristic kindness and humility, his eyes sparkling with joy, that he opened us the door to his vertical world.

  • Marc Brulard
    Director
  • Marc Brulard
    Writer
  • Stéphane Benoist
    Writer
  • Marc Brulard
    Producer
  • Jean Gounand
    Key Cast
  • Stéphane Benoist
    Key Cast
  • Laure Baretge
    Key Cast
  • Benjamin Guigonnet
    Key Cast
  • Sacha Benoist
    Key Cast
  • Matthias Greyer
    Key Cast
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Jeannot
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Mountaineering, climbing, adventure, outdoor
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 1 minute 32 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 18, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    35,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    France
  • Country of Filming:
    France
  • Language:
    French
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Saint-Paul-de-Vence
    France
    November 24, 2023
    Film premiere
Director Biography - Marc Brulard

Marc is the director of the film, co-written with Stéphane Benoist.
He carried out the technical functions, from capturing images to editing.

Born in 1989 in Normandy, Marc has been passionate about images from a very young age. Video, photography and drawing are his preferred means of expression.

A regular practitioner of mountain sports, he settled in the french Alpes-Maritimes, a magnificent playground between sea and mountains. Anxious to bring back a souvenir of his adventures in the great outdoors, he always takes a camera with him. From year to year, he perfected his practice of video and photography.

His desire to tell the stories lived up there encouraged him to take an interest in a particular format of storytelling: the documentary film. In 2018, he made his first film in a longer format than his usual videos : Devenir Alpiniste. This first attempt was rich in learning which will lead him to make a second, more successful film in 2020 : Facing the Void. Marc has also contributed to the projects of other directors such as the films Sur les pas d’Alex and Des Quartiers au Sommet.

Mechanical engineer by training, Marc now works in the space industry. His passion for filmmaking, which has gradually become a second job, occupies the majority of his free time. He founded the production company Summit Media to support more ambitious film projects.

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Marc est le réalisateur du film, co-écrit avec Stéphane Benoist.
Il a assuré les fonctions techniques, de la capture des images au montage.

Né en 1989 en Normandie, Marc se passionne dès son plus jeune âge pour l’image. La vidéo, la photo et le dessin sont ses moyens d’expression privilégiés.

Pratiquant régulier de sports de montagne, il s’installe dans les Alpes-Maritimes, magnifique terrain de jeu entre mer et montagne. Soucieux de ramener un souvenir de ses aventures en pleine nature, il emporte toujours une caméra avec lui. D’années en années, il perfectionne sa pratique de la vidéo et de la photo.

Son envie de raconter les histoires vécues là-haut l’encourage à s’intéresser à un format particulier du récit : le film documentaire. En 2018, il réalise un premier film dans un format plus long que ses vidéos habituelles : Devenir Alpiniste. Ce premier essai sera riche d’apprentissages qui l’amèneront à réaliser en 2020 un second film plus abouti : Face au Vide. Marc a également apporté sa contribution aux projets d’autres réalisateurs tels que les films Sur les pas d’Alex et Des quartiers au sommet.

Ingénieur de formation, Marc travaille aujourd’hui dans l’industrie spatiale. Sa passion pour l’image, petit à petit devenue un second métier, occupe la majorité de son temps libre. Il fonde la société de production Summit Media pour supporter des projets de films plus ambitieux.

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