13 - Un ludodrame sur Walter Benjamin

From 1933 until his suicide in 1940, Walter Benjamin, on the run from the Nazis, lived in exile in Paris. A composite essay, this "ludodrama" by Carlos Ferrand takes us back to that period in Benjamin's life, reflecting the many facets of the philosopher's work. In 13 chapters, the film explores Benjamin's rich world and personality. We walk in his footsteps through covered passageways, we meditate with him through flashes of brilliance, we see progress consume itself. We visit the Europe he knew so well. Combining archival footage, contemporary scenes, animated sequences and puppetry, the film weaves fragments and echoes, revisiting history. In non-linear form, it retells the story of a man whose life resonates powerfully with our collective story.