Photo : Périphérie / Corpus Film
Documentary Month: Souvent, l'hiver se mutine: screening and discussion
The screening will be followed by a discussion between the director Benoît Perraud and the writer Marie-Hélène Lafon
Médiathèque Marguerite Duras (Paris 20th)
About
Free admission subject to availability.
Through a treasure trove of rare archives, Souvent l'hiver se mutine immerses us in the peasant life of the Poitou region in the 20th century—its customs, its struggles, its rituals. The voices of those who shaped this land rise in song, unveiling a living memory: that of a dominated yet resilient community that built a unique cultural heritage. A vanished world comes back to life before our eyes in this sensitive and political fresco.
https://souventlhiversemutine.com/
Souvent, l'hiver se mutine by Benoit Perraud | Editing: Marie Bottois | 2025 / 74’ / prod. Corpus Films
In partnership with the association Périphérie
The screening will be followed by a discussion with Marie-Hélène Lafon and director Benoît Perraud. This event will be moderated by journalist Sophie Joubert, head of the culture department at L'Humanité and literary advisor for the Hors-Limites Festival.
Benoît Perraud
In his film essays, Benoit Perraud explores the relationships between politics, history, memory, and artistic creation, particularly music. His films have been presented at various festivals and art centers in France and Europe.
With a degree in Audiovisual Studies (LISA Angoulême) and a Master's in Documentary Filmmaking (CREADOC University of Poitiers), he frequently collaborates on film projects as a sound engineer, handling sound recording, editing, and mixing across all genres and styles. He also continues his production work at Corpus Films (Poitiers), a company he helped co-found.
Selected Documentary Filmography: NÉCESSAIRE(S) TERRITOIRE(S) (Short, 2006) – LE SENS DES TRACES (Short, 2008) – SINEMA (Short, 2009) – FORMANT (Short, 2011) – 100 JOURS (Short, 2012) – POUVOIR SE DIRE (Short, 2013) – HÉRITAGE (Short, 2014) – SOUVENT L’HIVER SE MUTINE (2025)
Marie-Hélène Lafon
Originally from Cantal and from a family of farmers, Marie-Hélène Lafon went to study in Paris. An agrégée in grammar and a PhD in literature, she became a teacher of French, Latin, and Greek, publishing her first novel in 2001, Le Soir du chien, which won the Renaudot des lycéens prize. Many others followed, all published by Buchet-Chastel, along with short story collections, essays, and interviews. She was awarded the 2020 Renaudot Prize for her novel Histoire du fils.
Her latest novel, Hors Champ, was published in January 2026.
https://www.buchetchastel.fr/auteur/marie-helene-lafon/
Our take on this event
Journey back into the heart of 20th-century rural life through a rare collection of archives brought to life on screen. This cinematic experience captures the resilient spirit of a forgotten community, followed by a thought-provoking conversation that bridge the gap between history and our world today.
As part of the Mois du doc, the Médiathèque Marguerite Duras presents the 2025 documentary Souvent, l’hiver se mutine by director Benoît Perraud. This 74-minute film utilizes rare archives to explore the daily lives, struggles, and rituals of the Poitou peasantry during the 20th century. Scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 17:00 to 20:00, the event is free of charge and fully accessible to wheelchair users as well as blind or visually impaired guests. The screening will be followed by an in-depth conversation with the filmmaker and author Marie-Hélène Lafon, shedding light on this vanished rural world.
On Saturday, November 21, 2026, the Médiathèque Marguerite Duras in the 20th arrondissement hosts a special screening of the documentary Souvent, l’hiver se mutine. From 17:00 to 20:00, audiences can experience this 74-minute film, produced by Corpus Films. Through a collection of rare archives, the director revives the memory of 20th-century Poitou farmers, highlighting their songs and cultural legacy in a powerful political and social tapestry.
The screening concludes with a discussion featuring director Benoît Perraud and writer Marie-Hélène Lafon. The conversation will be moderated by journalist Sophie Joubert, head of the culture department at L'Humanité. Together, they will analyze the historical importance of the film and the unique cultural heritage it documents.
Admission is free, subject to seat availability. The venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users, and the program is designed to be accessible to blind or visually impaired patrons, ensuring that everyone can participate in this cinematic encounter.
