“Growing up in a city where you can find an Algerian, Jewish, Vietnamese or native French friend is a real strength. Sarcelles offers this possibility of living together”, animates Bruno Pounewatchy. This 50-year-old who spent his childhood in Sarcelles in the 1970s produced a 3D documentary with his association “Rêve Encore” on the multicultural history of the town. This short film entitled “Sarcelles mon Amour” will be screened free of charge at 7 p.m. this Sunday, December 5 at the CGR My Place Sarcelles cinema. “I wanted to give back to the city what it gave me,” he smiles. You can’t leave Sarcelles without coming back. »
This project germinated in his mind in 2019 during a poetry competition organized by his association with students from the city. “I had chosen Victor Hugo’s phrase as my theme. Fool who thinks I’m not you, relate-t-il. This is the common thread of the documentary because this event in partnership with the town hall had been incredibly powerful. His animated production of about thirty minutes also benefits from the support of the municipality.
“Everyone knew each other thanks to football! »
Originally from the Central African Republic, Bruno Pounewatchy grew up in the Grands Ensembles with his 5 brothers and sisters in Sarcelles. “No matter what time the bell rang, my father opened the door and everyone had to eat,” he laughs. At that time, inter-district football matches created strong bonds between young people. With a laughing gesture, the 50-year-old points to a friend seated at the Café Valéry. “We called these meetings the Djedas. We met when we were 11 and we haven’t let go since. It’s always like that in Sarcelles, confirms the person named Hamid. Everyone knew each other thanks to football! »
When he was younger, Bruno Pounewatchy worked in the markets. But in the 1990s, an accident forced him to stop. “I have since had a disability which in a way allowed me to think differently. I came to documentaries through music because I write songs, ”says the fifty-something.
Although he has already made five documentaries, this is the first he has modeled in 3D. “I learned the technique with the free Blender software during the Covid,” he reports. During his research on Sarcelles, Bruno made a few discoveries. “I thought I knew her but that was not the case, he admits, amused. I learned for example that a certain doctor Galvani saved the city in 1800 during the cholera epidemics. He even has his grave here. »
Bringing local personalities out of oblivion
Because its production seeks to bring out of the shadows some local figures who have sometimes fallen into oblivion, such as Marius Delpech. A resistant shot during the Second World War. “But my greatest find is the career of composer Mel Bonis. This Sarcelloise born in 1858 had a fierce will. I met his granddaughter and went to the house where she died in Sarcelles, he says. I modeled in the documentary the place where she rested before the concerts. She played the organ in the church just across the street. »
Since then, Bruno has signed with Amazone the publication of two illustrated albums. He plans to create a video game with one of the characters. The director is even giving some free 3D lessons to young people in the city this month as part of the learning holidays. “It’s open to all dropouts,” he says. I want to show them that if I sick in quotes can do it, they too can do it perfectly. »
“Sarcelles mon amour”, at 7 p.m. this Sunday, December 5 at the CGR My Place Sarcelles cinema. Free.
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