Jean-Gabriel Périot (born April 23, 1974, in Bellac, France) is a filmmaker and editor known for his distinctive use of archival footage. After training in traditional audiovisual techniques, he discovered his passion for found footage while working at the Centre Georges Pompidou, where he explored the narrative power of archives. This approach defines much of his work, including *Une Jeunesse Allemande* and *Retour à Reims (Fragments)*, both nominated for the César Award for Best Documentary.
Périot’s films examine history, memory, and social violence, constructing a deeply political cinema that lets the images speak for themselves. Influenced by militant filmmaking from the 1920s–1930s and the movements of 1968, his work invites reflection and confrontation, turning the viewer into an active interpreter. His filmography addresses themes such as police brutality, labor, and collective memory, always questioning the relationship between images and history.
