George, l'homme en robe
A film by Philippe Morier-Genoud
Synopsis
This documentary pays tribute to Georges Chaillet, a singular figure who left a lasting mark on those who met him. Born in 1917 in Lyon and declared stillborn after a difficult delivery, he defied fate and lived to 73, withdrawn on the farm of Les Ayes in Saint-Étienne-de-Saint-Geoirs.
When his aunt, who had looked after him, died in 1958, Georges took to wearing her clothes — dresses, stockings, hats — while keeping a resolutely masculine bearing. Plunged into deep distress, he nonetheless found unwavering support among those close to him, including Jean-Luc Nancy, Claire Nancy and Philippe Lacoue-Labarthe.
An exceptional storyteller, George captivated generations of visitors with anecdotes, memories and historical tales, fed by his passionate reading of the magazine Historia. His unique world inspired Georges Lavaudant, then director of the Centre Dramatique National des Alpes, who in 1981 asked Philippe Morier-Genoud to bring this extraordinary character to the stage.
Through testimonies, archives and images from the performance, this documentary brings back the memory of George, the man in a dress — an extraordinary life, and a free spirit.
Credits
- ScreenwriterPhilippe Morier-Genoud
- Director of photographyJean-Michel Després
- EditorJean-Michel Després
- Sound engineerJean-Michel Després
- Author of the original workPhilippe Morier-Genoud
- ProducerPhilippe Morier-Genoud
- Camera operatorJean-Michel Després
- Sound editorJean-Michel Després
- Sound mixerJean-Michel Després
- NarratorPhilippe Morier-Genoud
Technical details
Images
