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New film on French farmer's fight for migrant rights

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The cast and crew of a new documentary pose together on the famous red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, ahead of a screening of their new film on French migrant rights. It tells the story of an olive farmer, Cedric Herrou, who's helped thousands of migrants cross the French-Italian border. His aid work has landed him in court a number of times, but has helped him become a symbol for activists fighting asylum law. The 38-year-old olive farmer, who stars in the documentary, says he won't let the glamour of the film industry go to his head: "I'm going to walk up the steps of the Cannes Film Festival in the same way as I walked up the steps of the courthouse, keeping a cool head, with the ultimate aim of talking about, of denouncing, of saying what I've seen happening in France, and particularly in the Roya valley," he said. In January 2017, Herrou walked up the court steps and was met with applause from hundreds of supporters, as well as a handful of protesters. He's currently waiting for an appeal to be heard against his latest conviction. The film, titled 'To the Four Winds', is directed by Herrou's friend Michel Toesca. Set in the Roya Valley. the film follows Cedric Herrou's work across a period of 3 years, portraying his struggles in helping migrants reach France. Momoudo Coljunpa was among those attending the premiere of "To the Four Winds". The 28-year-old arrived in France in 2015 after fleeing the Darfur region of Sudan. He was housed by Herrou and others in the Roya valley. "I find these good people and suddenly I find myself between stars of the whole world," he said dressed in a dinner jacket, before heading to the screening with other members of the cast. Cedric Herrou says migrants are continuing to cross the border with approximately 50 people a night arriving in his village since the end of winter. He hopes the festival would draw the world's attention to their plight. The documentary, directed by his friend Michel Toesca, is receiving a special screening at the festival, outside the main competition.

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