Action directe, nos années de plomb

Overview

Between 1979 and 1987, a far-left group wreaked havoc across France. Robberies, bombings, assassinations. They struck hard and disappeared in a cloud of explosives, leaflets scattered in the wind, and relentless ideological demands. Their name? Action Directe. More than 80 attacks, 26 wounded, and 12 dead in less than ten years. Stunned French citizens discovered posters plastered everywhere showing portraits of these young women and men who looked like everyone else and whom nothing seemed to be able to stop. A long and intense manhunt began, culminating in the arrest of the group's leadership.

Directed by Virginie Linhart

Top cast

Natacha Régnier

Narrator (Voice over)

Daniel Cohn-Bendit

Self : May 68 - Demonstrator & Politician

Olivier Rolin

Self : Founder of Gauche prolétarienne & Writer

B

Bernard Ripert

Self : Lawyer of Action directe

M

Marie-Christine Ételin

Self : Lawyer of Jean-Marc Rouillan (Leader of Action directe)

H

Henri Leclerc

Self : Lawyer of Jean-Marc Rouillan & Nathalie Ménigon

C

Christian Ételin

Self : Lawyer of Action directe

P

Patricia Tourancheau

Self : Journalist

H

Hervé Brusini

Self : Journalist

J

Jo Querr

Self : Counter-terrorism squad superintendent

J

Jean-Louis Bruguière

Self : Investigating magistrate in charge of counter-terrorism affairs

J

Jean-Pierre Pochon

Self : General information counter-terrorism unit chief

Jean Glavany

Self : Head of cabinet of President François Mitterrand (1981-1988)

Robert Badinter

Self : Minister of Justice (1981-1986)

J

Jean-Louis Huesca

Self : Crime squad superintendent

Dan Franck

Self : Friend and host of an Action Directe member, Writer & Screenwriter

É

Élisabeth Trétiack-Franck

Self : Daniel Franck's then wife & Press officer

Noël Mamère

Self : TV Newsreader (Archive)

Patrick Stefanini

Self : Principal private Secretary of Robert Pandraud & Deputy Minister for Security (1986-1988)

G

Gilles Leclair

Self : Crime squad superintendent

Details