Belleville is considered to be a neighborhood of craftsmen, workers and immigrants, as well as traditionally left-wing politically.
Lucio Urtubia makes this clear right at the beginning of the documentary. His particularly close relationship with the craftsmen and workers becomes apparent in the first scenes. However, in his younger years he was a convinced anarchist who did not shy away from criminal acts, such as destabilizing national economies. Although Urtobia had to spend many years in prison for this reason, he still passionately advocates his anarchist world view despite his advanced age.
Writer and filmmaker Robert Bober, on the other hand, appears much calmer: He collects song lyrics from chansons that were once sold on the street, as well as old photographs of the neighborhood. The meeting point for all the protagonists is the bistro "Le vieux Belleville", whose owner Josef talks about the vanished Belleville. He supports the painter Steven, who tries to depict these vanished parts of the neighborhood in his drawings.
The delightful former sports teacher Minelle regularly performs here with her chansons. The balladeer Riton, who repeatedly "tests" his enthusiastic audience with questions about the history of the revolution and the commune, can also be found here. What unites them all is their love of chansons, which are inextricably linked to the district, and their efforts to preserve the “old" Belleville.
The story, that Edith Piaf was born on the steps of a doorway in this neighborhood, can certainly be seen as supportive. Daniela Abke's film is pervaded by calm and serenity. Boredom never sets in during the entire one and a half hours. However, one is very tempted to go to Paris immediately to spend a few days in this special world.
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