Direct Action: A Quietly Revolutionary Portrait of Community
Sometimes, revolution doesn’t look the way we expect. In Direct Action, directors Guillaume Cailleau and Ben Russell take us into the heart of France’s ZAD (Zone à Défendre) movement—a grassroots struggle to protect the environment and resist capitalist expansion. Filmed in 41 static takes, this 212-minute documentary avoids traditional reportage. Instead, it invites viewers to sit with the ordinary and the sublime moments of community life. For me, this film wasn’t just about activism; it was a meditation on what it means to live and work together for a shared cause.
A Revolutionary Stillness
In Direct Action, revolution unfolds in the quiet rhythm of everyday tasks. The film shows farming, cooking, and cleaning—not as mundane chores but as acts of defiance. At first, the static shots felt almost too restrained, but as the film progressed, I realized their power. This isn’t a story told through dramatic confrontations; it’s a story of people who resist by living their values every single day.
The film reminded me of The Treasury of Human Inheritance in its ability to find profound meaning in the ordinary. Both films ask us to slow down, observe, and reflect. Where Mitchell uses intimate calls and personal footage, Cailleau and Russell focus on communal acts that feel both grounded and transcendent.
Beyond Ideology: Seeing the People
What sets Direct Action apart is its refusal to define the ZAD movement through slogans or ideologies. Instead, the directors take a human-centered approach, showing the faces and hands behind the resistance. As I watched, I couldn’t help but think about Small Hours of the Night, which also uses quiet storytelling to explore resistance. Both films challenge us to see beyond the surface and consider the deeper connections between people, place, and purpose.
For those unfamiliar with the ZAD movement, this article on its history and significance provides valuable context.
Why You Should Watch Direct Action
This isn’t your typical documentary. Its 212-minute runtime and deliberate pacing demand patience, but for me, the payoff was worth it. By the end, I felt like I had spent time in the ZAD myself—sharing meals, working the land, and learning how to live in harmony with others. It’s a reminder that activism doesn’t always have to be loud to be effective. Sometimes, just showing up, day after day, is the most radical thing you can do.
Much like A Fidai Film, which reclaims Palestinian history through archival footage, Direct Action reclaims the narrative of activism itself. It focuses not on the spectacle of protest but on the quieter, harder work of building community.
