Roger Malet, known as Raoul, passed away, marking the loss of a friend of the Association Georges Rouquier en Aveyron and a figure from Georges Rouquier’s 1982 film Biquefarre. He had one of the main roles in Biquefarre, which was filmed nearly 40 years after Farrebique.
Life and Legacy on the Aveyron Land
Beyond his role on screen, Malet remained deeply rooted in his identity as a working farmer. According to the Association Georges Rouquier en Aveyron, he embodied the simplicity, generosity, and authenticity that filmmaker Georges Rouquier sought in his characters. Malet maintained a connection to the land and his fellow agricultural workers.
In an article published by Libération on April 4, 1984, Malet detailed how he crossed paths with Rouquier in 1980. “When Georges came to my house in 1980, we sat face to face and the clock hands nearly made a full circle,” Malet recalled. “We talked for hours, mostly about agricultural problems. I think he was testing the ground to see if I could make the film.” Rouquier returned in May 1981 with funding secured to offer him one of the leading roles, to which Malet replied, “If you think I can do the job, I’m here.”
Recalling the Challenges of Filming Biquefarre
Production on Biquefarre began in September 1982. Malet noted that one of the hardest scenes to shoot was when he had to leave his farm. To help him, Rouquier spoke of his own father who died at Verdun in 1915 when Rouquier was 6 years old.
Reflecting on the collaborative environment, Malet described the production as much more than a film. “It was a great human story between the technicians and the peasant actors,” he stated.
Enduring Relevance of Rouquier’s Agricultural Focus
Nearly 45 years after its filming, the agrarian challenges depicted in Rouquier’s film retain their urgency. The film explored socioeconomic shifts, including land ownership questions, agricultural prices, economic constraints, pollution, transformations of the profession, and uncertainty about the future.
Following news of his death, the Association Georges Rouquier en Aveyron issued a statement expressing its deepest sympathies and profound friendship to Malet’s family and loved ones.
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