Two brothers, one obsession, and the code that silenced history for 2,000 years.
By decoding ancient hieroglyphic texts, Jean-François Champollion gave voice to an enigmatic civilization, but behind his legendary feat is a mysterious brother who made it possible. The recent discovery of correspondence between Jean-François Champollion and his brother Jacques-Joseph now allows us to fully understand how a young, self-taught genius was able to make one of the most important discoveries of the 19th century. Without the ingenuity and unfailing support of his older brother, Jean-François would never have succeeded in solving this enigma, which had international repercussions. With animated sequences of their private correspondence, and with the help of archives and expert analysis, this film revisits this unique scientific, human and intellectual adventure to celebrate the bicentenary of the decoding of hieroglyphics.
Production
Animated letters make 19th-century mail riveting.
Writing
Finally gives Jacques-Joseph his overdue credit.
Director
Jacques Plaisant
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The bicentenary timing (2022) coincided with renewed debates about museum repatriation of Egyptian artifacts, making this oddly tense celebration.
Champollion collapsed from exhaustion shortly after his breakthrough, aged 32—literally almost killed himself reading rocks.
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