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0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:06 > 0:00:09- On 17 July 1979...
0:00:10 > 0:00:15- ..the first directly-elected - European parliament sat.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19- An 86-year-old woman came forward - to deliver the opening speech.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22- She was the oldest MEP.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28- She was a pro-European campaigner - and fought for women's rights.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30- Her name was Louise Weiss.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40- The late 19th century was - a turbulent time in French history.
0:00:41 > 0:00:46- After the Franco-Prussian War, - Germany had annexed Alsace.
0:00:47 > 0:00:52- As natives of Alsace, Louise Weiss's - family was very patriotic.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56- They chose exile over being Germans.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03- Louise was born in 1893 - in the city of Arras.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08- She achieved good grades at school - and longed for her father's praise.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13- Unfortunately, her father thought - a woman's place was in the home.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21- This was a wealthy - upper middle class family.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25- It meant that Louise Weiss - could afford to study.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30- But to her father, one thing - was wrong - she was a girl.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34- At the time, women were considered - to be inferior citizens.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- The only right they had - was their social duty.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40- Marrying and bearing children.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43- They weren't expected to study.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47- The Weiss family - had lived in Paris since 1899.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50- Louise had been a fine student.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54- She studied at Lycee Moliere - and won awards...
0:01:54 > 0:01:57- ..but had to hide them - from her father.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59- This was what she wrote.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03- I was raised in a passionately - secular atmosphere...
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- ..but the moral principles - mirrored that of the Gospels.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12- But my thirst for knowledge was such - that it eased the fire of my youth.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17- Her mother was aware - of her daughter's talents.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23- She encouraged her to succeed - in her civil service exams...
0:02:23 > 0:02:25- ..and keep it from her father.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30- In the summer of 1914, aged 21, - Louise became the youngest person...
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- ..to earn France's highest - educational diploma.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37- On 1 August, - the city bells rang out...
0:02:37 > 0:02:40- ..to signal the start - of the First World War.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43- Frenchmen were called to battle.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49- As the German army drew closer, - the people of northern France fled.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54- Like thousands of others, - the Weiss family fled from Paris...
0:02:54 > 0:02:58- ..to a house they owned - in Saint-Quai-Potrieux, Brittany.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00- As a civil servant...
0:03:01 > 0:03:05- ..Louise Weiss didn't want - to carry on as a teacher...
0:03:06 > 0:03:07- ..so she resigned.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13- She was eager to help refugees - who were pouring into Brittany.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19- This was the start of her work - as a humanitarian campaigner.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- To understand the motives - for the killing...
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- ..and hoping to find solutions - to secure a peaceful future...
0:03:29 > 0:03:31- ..Louise returned to Paris.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35- She started work as a journalist - and attended conferences.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40- At a conference, she met a Czech - officer called Milan Stefanik.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49- He was the man who showed Louise - how to dedicate herself seriously...
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- ..to a cause about which she was - passionate, and change situations.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59- Stefanik was an advocate - of free and independent states.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04- Louise seized upon a dream of - an Europe based on people's rights.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10- In January 1918, Louise established - a magazine called L'Europe Nouvelle.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12- The New Europe.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21- On 11 November 1918, - the war came to an end.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- But the young journalist - was betrayed by Milan Stefanik.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- He chose to play a part - in the creation of Czechoslovakia...
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- ..alongside an Italian woman.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34- Louise never saw him again.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48- For Louise Weiss, it was - the end of a glorious romance.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- Afterwards, she found it difficult - to form another relationship.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59- Heartbroken, Louise Weiss focused - all her energy on her magazine...
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- ..and the fight to establish - an European confederation.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09- In 1919, she was present when - the Treaty of Versailles was signed.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- But she disagreed with the way - France belittled Germany...
0:05:13 > 0:05:17- ..and how victorious states - oppressed the defeated states.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22- Her magazine echoed her opinion - that Europe couldn't move on...
0:05:22 > 0:05:25- ..without its people - being reconciled.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32- Weiss dreamt of a humanitarian - and cultural Europe.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- An Europe of the people.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42- For Louise Weiss, a stable Europe - had to conquer xenophobia...
0:05:42 > 0:05:47- ..and required a supranational - Parliament to change existing laws.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52- Her magazine became a laboratory - for new ideas and innovation.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- If only the politicians and leaders - could understand and negotiate...
0:06:01 > 0:06:05- ..then a Parliament could become - a genuine political option.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10- The desire for peace - had to be promoted.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14- The elite had to be educated - about that desire.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- Louise Weiss was a supporter - of the League of Nations...
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- ..which favoured talks - over waging war.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27- She became friends - with Aristide Briand...
0:06:27 > 0:06:30- ..who led - Franco-German reconciliation.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34- They both believed - that nationalism led to war.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- Aristide Briand was called - an apostle of peace.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43- His ideas appealed to others - and suited Louise Weiss.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- He knew that she could - ensure good publicity.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51- Louise Weiss knew - that she had to educate people.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54- Near the Ministry - of Foreign Affairs...
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- ..she established - the College of Peace.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00- She hoped it would influence - the leaders of the future...
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- ..and persuade them - to be unconditional pacifists.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- We want to know - why wars occur, and when...
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- ..and under what conditions.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- If we understood this, maybe - we can learn how to prevent wars.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- 30 January 1933.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- To everyone's surprise, - Hitler came to power...
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- ..and shattered - the European dream.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- In France, - Aristide Briand's hopes were dashed.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- There was now no hope of peace.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39- War loomed on the horizon, - and Louise Weiss faced a choice.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- If her magazine carried on...
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- ..it could have become a voice - for Nazis and Fascists.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- Louise Weiss - didn't consider that a choice.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51- She preferred to give it up.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- The title of her final editorial, - on 3 February 1934, was...
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- ..."We will never - make a pact with Hitler."
0:08:01 > 0:08:05- Then she left, her dream of a united - and peaceful Europe in pieces.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- In the 1930s, France suffered - a deep economic recession.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- Unemployment was high, - and living conditions had plummeted.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19- The country was on its knees.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22- Women remained without a voice.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- Fighting for women's rights - at that time would seem crazy.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31- But Louise Weiss began her new - campaign, in the name of justice.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- Aged 40, - independent and childless...
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- ..she threw all her energy - into the fight for women's suffrage.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- Political equality - between men and women.
0:08:45 > 0:08:50- She wanted to be politically active, - but found she couldn't do much...
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- ..because women - didn't have the right to vote.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- Maybe she campaigned for women's - suffrage out of necessity.
0:09:00 > 0:09:05- But male politicians weren't ready - to change the electoral system.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- Their answers to the calls - from feminists were definite...
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- ..but also shameful.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18- They gave the impression...
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- ..women were stupid and incapable - and would cause chaos.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27- They created caricatures of women - who dared to insist on their rights.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33- In 1934, to support - her commitment to feminism...
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- ..Louise Weiss established - La Femme Nouvelle, the new woman...
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- ..a centre to publicize - women's suffrage.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- The journalist - who fought in the shadows...
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- ..was about to emerge - into the light.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- Women the world over - have the right to vote...
0:09:52 > 0:09:58- ..except in Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, - Switzerland and France.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03- How can such a situation continue?
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- She proposed female candidates - in some elections...
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- ..even though the system - didn't support them.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- She also encouraged women - in Paris to vote.
0:10:20 > 0:10:25- In 1935, she decided to stand - in Paris's civic elections...
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- ..even though this was illegal.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32- She set up her HQ in a cafe - that was usually frequented by men.
0:10:32 > 0:10:38- Equality between the sexes had - become more important than ever...
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- ..especially political equality.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45- Securing the vote would enable women - to introduce measures...
0:10:46 > 0:10:50- ..to allow them take their rightful - place in the economic hierarchy.
0:10:50 > 0:10:56- On election day, accomplished orator - Weiss set up stalls on streets...
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- ..to encourage women to vote.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- Her efforts were met - with a savage reaction.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07- There was a lot of facetiousness, - and much press attention.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- Louise Weiss - wasn't afraid of the journalists.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14- The attention actually suited her.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19- The police decided that she was - a public nuisance, and stopped her.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- She responded by trying to persuade - her fellow pacifists.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- There was no better persuader - than Louise Weiss.
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0:11:33 > 0:11:33- Subtitles
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:39 > 0:11:44- In 1936, equality was on the agenda - of the Popular Front party.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- Three women were appointed - to posts in government.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- But politicians refused calls - for a universal vote.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- The left believed - that giving women the vote...
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- ..would be like - giving the vote to priests.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- The right feared...
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- ..that women would fall into - the clutches of the trades unions.
0:12:15 > 0:12:20- Louise Weiss viewed the left and - right's opposition as hypocritical.
0:12:21 > 0:12:26- She was angry, and couldn't fathom - her fellow campaigners' silence.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28- Why wouldn't they rebel?
0:12:28 > 0:12:33- These workers who were paid less - than men doing the same jobs.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- These shop owners - who couldn't litigate...
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- ..without their husbands' - permission?
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- These mothers who had no authority - over their children?
0:12:43 > 0:12:47- All these women who were wronged - but still paid their taxes.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50- For Louise Weiss, - it was a constant battle.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- She increased her activities.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- She and a handful of campaigners - occupied Longchamp racecourse...
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- ..before the Grand Prix race.
0:13:00 > 0:13:05- She wanted to bring the campaign - for women's suffrage to the fore.
0:13:07 > 0:13:12- In July, she organized a big protest - at the Place de la Bastille.
0:13:12 > 0:13:18- Feminists burnt chains in front - of the memorial to people's freedom.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25- All the protests were non-violent, - dignified and enlightened.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- After the government - refused to give women the vote...
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- ..Louise Weiss - took the matter to the Senate.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41- The senators used to go to brothels - after their meetings.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- The feminists jumped into vehicles - reserved for the senators...
0:13:46 > 0:13:48- ..and chastised them.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53- "You know you are at fault."
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- One senator complained - during a Senate speech.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- "These women are terrifying, - they disturb us all very much."
0:14:07 > 0:14:09- For the male politicians...
0:14:09 > 0:14:14- ..these women were transgressing - in the worst possible way.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- Louise Weiss - was a tireless campaigner...
0:14:20 > 0:14:21- ..but history impeded her.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26- War broke out after Hitler - attacked Austria in 1938...
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- ..then destroyed Czechoslovakia.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34- When fighting started, she felt - that she had failed in every field.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- Europe, peace and women's rights - had all gone up in smoke.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- When the Germans - reached Paris in 1940...
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- ..Louise Weiss - had to consider her own safety.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48- Her mother was Jewish.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52- Her name was on a list of people - to be arrested and exiled.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58- Her flat and her property - was to be seized by the government.
0:15:03 > 0:15:08- Consequently, Louise Weiss - needed anonymity and false papers.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12- Was this to oppose the regime - or in order to disappear?
0:15:12 > 0:15:14- It remains a mystery.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- In her autobiography, she states...
0:15:17 > 0:15:21- ..that she founded a resistance - magazine called The New Republic.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- This must have been a risk for her.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- She was both Jewish and well-known.
0:15:31 > 0:15:36- She claims to have found a network - to publish her secret magazine...
0:15:38 > 0:15:40- ..but there is no evidence of this.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- This murky period in her life - would be an obstacle to her forever.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50- It seems that Louise Weiss lost - her place in history at that time.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- In 1944, she witnessed victory...
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- ..in a cause - for which she had long battled.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03- On 21 April in Algiers, foreseeing - the French democracy's future...
0:16:03 > 0:16:08- ..General De Gaulle announced that - women would be allowed to vote.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13- They did so for the first time - in the 1945 elections.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18- With no cause to fight for, - it was time for a new campaign.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- Louise Weiss - felt a need to be acknowledged.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30- Maybe, after WW2, she would find - a field where that would happen.
0:16:32 > 0:16:33- Weiss liked to travel.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- As a journalist, she liked - to describe the world to people.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- She turned to film-making.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44- To do that, - she had to choose a director.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- She arranged interviews - for someone to operate the camera.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52- Unexpectedly, - she chose Georges Bourdelon...
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- ..who would work with her - for over 20 years.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- Georges was only 23 - when he attended the interview.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- At the end of the interview, - she said...
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- .."I expect you in Beirut - in a week's time."
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- Louise Weiss travelled the world...
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- ..from India to Japan, - from Madagascar to Alaska...
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- ..via Djibouti, - China and even Zanzibar.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21- Distance or difficult filming - conditions, nothing would stop her.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- She was an instinctive adventurer.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- Georges was always amazed - by this woman's resilience.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- She had an incredible capacity - to persevere.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40- Due to her journalistic - background...
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- ..she had a wide network - of connections.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45- As a diplomat, doors opened for her.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50- She successfully filmed - where few had previously done so.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55- One of Georges's favourite scenes - was an Indian choura ceremony.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00- Usually, self-flagellation - at a choura is very private...
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- ..but the local imam - gave Louise permission to film.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- Her only remaining campaign...
0:18:13 > 0:18:17- ..was the idea - that clashes could be avoided...
0:18:18 > 0:18:23- ..if we became more familiar - with other people and cultures.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- We can't stimulate general peace - through anthropomorphic religions.
0:18:34 > 0:18:35- Mankind in the future...
0:18:35 > 0:18:39- ..will need a changed relationship - with the divine.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44- But her films didn't attract - the audience she desired.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49- Around then, in Paris, she began - to write novels, plays and essays.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55- She tirelessly sought her place - in history through her literature.
0:19:01 > 0:19:07- She wanted to share her story, - either via fiction or memoirs.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- This was also a tribute - to her political ambitions.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21- But despite her perseverance, - her publications and awards...
0:19:21 > 0:19:26- ..Louise Weiss' literature - wasn't the success that she craved.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- Once again, this was her fate.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33- But history was kinder - in her battle for Europe.
0:19:33 > 0:19:38- In 1979, the first European - Parliament elections were held.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41- They put her in the spotlight.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46- Jacques Chirac, the Paris mayor, - was seeking credible candidates...
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- ..to change his party's - nationalist image.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- Jacques Chirac had a problem - with the 1979 European elections.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- He opposed direct votes - for the European Parliament...
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- ..and he only had a handful - of female candidates on his list.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08- Chirac invited Louise Weiss - to be a candidate on the list...
0:20:08 > 0:20:10- ..that would build the new Europe.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- It would silence - those who claimed that his list...
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- ..was populated by opponents - of a united Europe.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24- Louise Weiss would underline their - support for the European dream.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- But his strategy - inspired a scheme by Weiss.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- She insisted - on being fifth on his list...
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- ..in order to be present - during the vote.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43- She knew that she would be elected - a member of the European Parliament.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- The first one - to be directly elected.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- Furthermore, she was 86 - at the time of the election...
0:20:52 > 0:20:57- ..she knew she'd be the oldest MEP - and would make the opening speech.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- Louise Weiss was spot on.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06- She was elected a Member - of the European Parliament.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- For the lifelong campaigner - for a united Europe...
0:21:09 > 0:21:14- ..delivering the opening speech - was the greatest honour of her life.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- She took great care - when writing the speech.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22- As usual, Louise - took the matter seriously.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26- She rehearsed her speech - in front of a film director friend.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- After a light breakfast - at her home, she said...
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- .."I'm going to read my opening - speech for the European Parliament."
0:21:37 > 0:21:41- I felt she was about to cry - because she spoke as actors do...
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- ..when they convey - a great depth of feeling.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- Even though she was emotional, - she was also very restrained.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56- 17 July 1979.
0:21:56 > 0:22:01- As a journalist, author - and film producer...
0:22:02 > 0:22:05- ..neither my ink nor my images - ever betrayed my faith.
0:22:07 > 0:22:13- At this moment, it doesn't feel - that I have spent this century...
0:22:14 > 0:22:19- ..or travelled the world - in order to attend this meeting.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24- She really enjoyed the experience.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- It was the realization - of a childhood dream...
0:22:28 > 0:22:31- ..but at the end of her life.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40- Louise Weiss remained an MEP - until her death in 1983...
0:22:40 > 0:22:42- ..when she was over 90 years old.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- Europe, this idealistic - 20th century idea...
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- ..had become reality.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- Even so, few in Brussels - now remember this woman...
0:22:52 > 0:22:56- ..who campaigned so hard - for her dream.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05- Not by admiring our forefathers - should we choose our actions.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09- Nothing should diminish - our vision of the future.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13- We should avoid being - classical versions of ourselves.
0:23:14 > 0:23:15- History moves forward.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- What was impossible yesterday - becomes possible tomorrow.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:54 > 0:23:55- .