Claire Simon releases documentary on Annie Ernaux’s impact on students

Director Claire Simon has released the documentary ‘Écrire la vie’, which explores how the works of Nobel Prize-winning author Annie Ernaux resonate with today’s youth. Rather than creating a traditional biographical portrait of the writer, Simon focuses on the impact of Ernaux’s literature within educational settings.

The film features students and teachers from various locations, including high schools in mainland France and French Guiana. By filming classroom discussions, the documentary captures how adolescents engage with themes of social class, family, memory, and identity. The project highlights the dialogue between Ernaux’s personal narratives and the lived experiences of a new generation, illustrating the universality of her writing through diverse perspectives and authentic student interpretations.