In the Footsteps of Christine de Pizan

This film was commissioned by the University of Geneva to promote the department of medieval languages and literature. They asked us to find a way to ground the work of professors and students in reality, as they meticulously study manuscripts in their pursuit of knowledge.

A research phase into the department's work and the history of the field led us to the figure of Christine de Pizan, the first French woman of letters to live by her writing, and one of Europe's feminist forerunners.

We developed a concept and a treatment centered on this historical figure, which were presented at the university before we began production.

To promote a discipline that may seem abstract, we have chosen to highlight the manuscript as a physical object that has been essential to the translation of languages throughout the centuries.

The film was set in the 14th century, which led us to Chillon Castle for a historical reconstruction shoot. Costumes, props, and location were prepared in pre-production. Two temporalities, medieval and contemporary, are woven together around the manuscript, showing that language studies are as relevant today as ever.

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