WE, THE LOVER

Short List
TitleWE, THE LOVER
BrandSANTÉ PUBLIQUE FRANCE
Product/ServiceSEXUAL HEALTH
Category A07. Use of Licensed / Adapted Music
Entrant BABEL Paris, FRANCE
Idea Creation BABEL Paris, FRANCE
Production CAVIAR Paris, FRANCE
Post Production FIRM STUDIO Paris, FRANCE
Post Production 2 CIRCONFLEX Paris, FRANCE
Credits
Name Company Position
LAURENT NUYEN BABEL CREATIVE DIRECTOR
JEAN-LAURENT PY BABEL CREATIVE DIRECTOR
LOUIS GRZESKOWIAK BABEL ART DIRECTOR
CEDRIC HAMELIN BABEL COPYWRITER
JEANNE HALFON BABEL Head of TV prod
ORIANA BERZIG BABEL AGENCY PRODUCER
ERIC ZAJDERMANN BABEL PARTNER
NICOLAS KABASSAKALIS BABEL BRAND DIRECTOR
HAPSA DIA BABEL ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
LAURA DELBOURGO BABEL BRAND MANAGER
COLINE MOREAU BABEL BRAND MANAGER
JULIE ESPALIOUX BABEL PARTNER
CELINE MOUQUET BABEL HEAD OF SOCIAL MEDIA
LUCY LUSCOMBE CAVIAR DIRECTOR
MACIEK POZOGA FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
CLAUDINE TANGUY SANTÉ PUBLIQUE FRANCE Head of Prevention and Health Promotion Department
NATHALIE LYDIÉ SANTÉ PUBLIQUE FRANCE Head of Sexual Health Unit
LUCILE BLUZAT SANTÉ PUBLIQUE FRANCE Communication manager
NICOLAS ETIEN SANTÉ PUBLIQUE FRANCE Communication manager

Write a short summary of what happens in the film

“We, the lovers” portrays LGBTQ+ love stories. This film aims at representing LGBT+ community members and their daily challenges - due to lack of acceptance and the discrimination they face within the society. The film goes gradually. At first, it presents the struggles that the characters face ; and ends with moments of acceptance by their relatives and loved ones. The lyrics of the music “We, the lovers”, by Jean-Claude Pascal, match the scenes of the film and act as an anthem of repressed love. Formerly known as a war hero, Jean-Claude Pascal won the 1961 Eurovision with this song, that was actually about his hidden homosexuality. The film manages to tell multiple moving love stories while making its viewers realize the urge to accept all sexual orientation and genders. The slogan appeals the viewers and reminds them that “In the face of intolerance, we can all make a difference”.

Cultural / Context information for the jury

While society seems to be moving toward acceptance, its members still perpetuate strong discriminations against the LGBTQ+ community. 1,870 people were victims of homophobic or transphobic offenses in 2019, mainly insults or assaults, which represents an increase of 36% compared to the year before, according to French government. In addition, due to quarantine, many young LGBT+ persons faced violence at home or saw their mental health degraded. This film emphasizes the discrepancies within the society on this matter and aims at enhancing positive changes in problematic behaviours. This campaign is the first major public statement in favour of the LGBTQ+ community carried by the French government.

Tell the jury about the choice of music track.

“We, the lovers” is a song from Jean-Claude Pascal, who is mostly known in France as a war hero. He won the 1961 Eurovision with this song, but at the time, no one knew the true meaning of its lyrics. This song was actually about an hidden homosexual love story that Jean-Claude Pascal was living at the time. The film was made to match the lyrics, and that is why we decided to name it “We, the lovers”.