1958: THOSE WHO SAID NO

September 28th, 1958. As General de Gaulle holds a referendum for a new Constitution, political opponents are crushed and the « yes » answer wins with 80% of the votes. While defenders of the « no » answer managed to denounce De Gaulle’s return in Alger generals’ briefcases, while warning the population about the institutions’ drift, they are tuned out. Perhaps too early for their time. However, the most notorious « no » defenders, - François Mitterrand and Pierre Mendès-France – remain strong. The General’s own way of practicing power will progressively rule in their favor.

Vth Republic is now 60 years old. Jupiterisation of the executive power is accomplished since a long time and, like a sea serpent, the call for a VIth Republic, which would give back its power to the Parliament, constantly reappears on the political scene. Reenacting 1958’s « no » arguments.

This film brings back the historical moment when, in response to the IVth Republic’s institutions’ instabilities, French people decided to give in to republican monarchy’s delights.

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