ABATTAGES

Nineteen-year-old Bertrand prepares for his first day of work in a village out in the provinces. He is going to help his older brother Herman fell trees in the heart of the woods. Everything is going fine until Herman decides to teach Bertrand "the art" of felling trees illegally. The chain saw is on, but fortune rides on the wind and turns its back on the two brothers. The day risks ending up worse that it started.

"I really knew characters like these described in the film. I remember that they treated trees and people in the same way - as products... I do not know if a tree that is being cut feels hate or compassion towards human beings. I know I felt both of these while I was making this film" (J. Vernant).

Director and screenplay: Joël Vernant.
Director of photography: Glynn Speeckaert.
Sound: Yolande Decarsin.
Music: Alexander Mullenbach.
Editor: Yves Dorme.
Cast and characters: Jacques Gallo (Herman), Jean-Luc Couchard (Bertrand), Jacques-François Zeller (Charles), Marie Piemontese (la giovane Ille), Renée Le Calm (la nonna), Harry Cleven (la guardia forestale).
Producer: Serge Zeitoun. Produzione e vendita all'estero: Les Films de Mai, 44 faubourg du Temple, 75011 Paris, France, tel. +33-1-43570701, fax +33-1-43575248, e-mail mai@hol.fr. Co-production: Artemis Productions.