A documentary that follows two brothers who attempt to film the historic Carcassonne Mayoral elections in 2026.
An adventure through local politics, as we let ourselves be guided by campaigners of all sides through a complicated and historic campaign, deciding the fate of an immensely culturally important french city.
The Vice President of the Rassemblement National, Louis Aliot, coming to support his candidate for the election
Immersed during the last three weeks of the campaign, my brother and I were able to bear witness to some incredible moments of bravery, humanity, doubt and profound sadness. If anything, we developped a newfound respect for the people that put themselves out there, on the very ingrate stage that is local politics.
It’s the battles they lead in their own small localities that then inform the fate of the entire country.
The incumbent mayor, Gerard Larrat
It’s the story of the lowest election result of any incumbent mayor in France, where him and his people completely misread the tea leaves. It’s the story of the uncompromising but futile effort of the LFI list, led by youth and sincerity.
The candidate of the left wing union list, Alix Soler-Alcaraz, during possibly the most important moment of the campaign.
It’s the story of a young and promising left wing leader, who was able to rally the majority of the left wing cause together to an almost victory, but their idealism and optimism prevented them from seeing the bad choices ahead. It’s the story of a dissident who worked tirelessly over several years to build a robust and impressive list that could have taken him to victory, but who is taken down by the way he has alienated a majority of the other local players.
In the torrent of those personal stories, there’s the much larger story of the end of the “Barrage Republicain” that held the far right at bay for since 2022, as people finally reach a breaking point and no longer want to compromise their values.
What will be the fate of Carcassonne? Can Leonard and Clement make sense of all this and find something to bring back to their own lives?
La Chute De La Cite
Feature documentary
Directed by Clement and Leonard Jochem
Produced by Charlie Weil, Leonard Jochem and Clement Jochem
Edited by Clement Jochem