Strangers of the Earth (1961)

Strangers of the Earth

1961

Documentary

Synopsis

Les inconnus de la terre starts like a traditional feature film: in the beginning of the film all the leading roles are given a short introduction. This is followed by a number of interviews, in which the makers unashamedly appear themselves. They include an interview with a lonely shepherd and one with three unmarried brothers who try to run the parental farm for better or worse. Notwithstanding the fact that this mode of interviewing has now become classical, les inconnus de la terre works rather refreshingly. The film is more than just an enumeration of problems. In an honest way it shows the ties of those involved to the land and to nature, in addition to being a plea for the modernization of French agriculture.

Credits

Director

Mario Ruspoli

Cast

Beaufils as Self, a Small Landowner

Contastin as Self, a Shepherd from the Causses

Gazo as Self, an Itinerant Farming Teacher

Gilles Quéant as Narrator (voice)

Les Cheyla as Selves, a Family of Farmers

Mme Vors as Self, Vors' Wife

Vors as Self, a Land Clearer

Crew