Rakoto and the dragon

During her residence in Madagascar in May 2014 for the Chantiers de la marionnette, Judith Lesur was invited by the association Grandir Dignement (Grow with Dignity) to present cultural programs she had run in French Prisons to juvenile detainees at Diego Suarez.

From her experience running drawing classes and sharing stories and songs with prisoners, Judith produced a short film, “Rakoto and the dragon”. The film was warmly received by the prisoners, the association, prison staff and the wider public.

This experience fuelled her desire to produce a more polished production, across Madagascar and France. Judith teamed up with Cadavres Exquis, a company that encourages creative outlets for those removed from day to day culture, as well as the juvenile prisoners at Diego Suarez in Madagascar and Meyzieu in France.