Society & Economy

Grrr! Europe! London calls the squats

How do we live in Europe? What do we really know about our ´fellow countrymen´? With its partners, Franco-German channel ARTE inaugurated an ambitious collection of twenty documentaries which explore the lives of various inhabitants of the European Union. Be they squatters, ministers, farmers or holidaymakers, they were followed by young film-makers from their country equipped only with a basic digital camera. These are entertaining portraits which both arouse our curiosity and encourage reflection, sometimes with a provocative and ironic tone.


The topsy-turvy world of French squatters in London.
Taking advantage of European legislation on working and living in any country in the Union, Saïd, Gaby and Sophie, three French people originally from Africa, choose to settle in London. They live in a squat in the south of the city, and can benefit from the more tolerant attitude of their neighbors and the British authorities. They are forever on the move in order to avoid eviction. Saïd regularly works on the black, and has even been known to rent out squats to people who are none the wiser. When Gaby is not out scouting for a new place to live, he goes in search of club nights where he can showcase his French rap repertoire in London´s funkiest haunts.