What is Zero Franc Production ?
Zéro Franc Production is a nonprofit organisation made up of media professionals, artists, actors, and others, whose aim is to produce and distribute film and video works which take as their subject matter social issues most often left aside by conventional TV or film products. We aim to give a voice to those who are normally rejected outside the realm of the media. To reach this goal, we wish to act as a meeting point and catalyst for those who are willing to invest their energies in the making of socially commited films.
Page summary
Past achievements | Current actions | How can you help ?
Past achievements
Up to this point, Robert Biver and ZFP have produced two feature length video films : L'Envol de l'Autre [The Flight of the Other] and SDF Go Home [Homeless Go Home].
L'envol de l'autre is a denonciation of of current fascist tendencies in France and a call to the new generation to fight racism. The film's starting point is the occupying in 1996 of a Paris church by a group of illegal immigrants from Africa, and their brutal eviction by the police. For two years, almost without any funding, Robert has gathered around him the energies of many, film and media professionals, actors (among whom Denis Lavant, Dominique Pinon, Bruno Solo, Dolorès Chaplin and Lou Doillon), activists, and many others — more than 600 of them —, in order to achieve this non-identified filmic object, a vibrant plea in favor of tolerance, sharing and understanding across cultures and country borders. The film was featured, among other venues, at the 6th Journées Cinéma à Montauban.
SDF Go Home is a fiction involving true-life homeless actors, as well as professional actors. Aude-Laurence is a 15 year-old girl who meets a homeless guy and decides to make a film about him and his world. An excruciatingly tight budget and a crew of 250 volunteers from France and Luxemburg have carried this new experiment from ZFP to achievement ! You can order a copy of the DVD here.
The film was shown in Luxemburg in 2000 during a special meeting with the Gand-Duc and Grande-Duchesse, the Abbé Pierre and a number of homeless people. the same year, it was featured at the festival des migrations, des cultures et de la citoyenneté in Luxemburg. Also featured in 2003 at the festival du film social in Luxemburg. Shown in Cannes within the «sélection parallèle» in 2004. On that occasion, Biver takes the homeless cast for a ride on the croisette !
Current actions
ZFP is currently working on the production of two new films. The budgets are tighter than ever, but with your help, we shall make it ! The description of the projects follows :
Pignon sur rue : a documentary film about those homeless people who are suffering from mental illnesses or deficiencies and who are left to live in the streets. The shooting, which was almost a year long, is now over, and the rushes are awaiting post-production.
Egotha : a fiction film which shall be produced with the sole participation of french media professionals and artists who are currently fighting for their social rights as occasional workers (for more info : http://www.cip-idf.org , in French). Estimated budget : 1 million euro.
How can you help ?
If you are a media professional, you can join our network, and you will be called to participate in our projects, either on a voluntary basis or for pay, depending on the project budget.
If you are a production/media company/business, you may help through the lending/donation of facilities or equipment, and in many others ways.
If you are an individual or company not related to the media industry, you can still help ! We need all kinds of skills to reach our goals.
And if you cannot or do not wish to participate personnally in our productions, your financial contribution is not only welcome but essential, as we are not subsidized in any way and solely depend on the help of volunteers and on private donations. To do so, you can make a deposit on our bank account. Thanks!
In all cases, you will become an associate producer of our projects and your name will be listed in the credits.
Contact us now at the following address:
