Russia is one of the countries in the world with the most national holidays. They are instruments of power and ways to impose the nationalist spirit. Antoine Cattin films eight of these "festive days" in Saint Petersburg, following the lives of four people from different generations and backgrounds. The marches and the singing give way to revolt or apology at the outbreak of war in Ukraine. And over the course of a year, the influence of the state on the lives of citizens becomes more and more apparent. Playing on the title of the Jacques Tati classic, this is also a comedy in the style of an impressionistic mosaic, the portrait of a country as diverse as it is unknown.
Jours de fêtes premiered at CPH:DOX festival, in the official competition.