Renowned French photographer and filmmaker Raymond Depardon recently compared the art of photography to boxing during a radio interview, stating that 'a good photographer must be fast, it's a bit like boxing.' The celebrated artist made these remarks on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, during a 43-minute interview on the podcast 'La 20e heure.'

Depardon's appearance on the show coincided with significant recognition of his work through multiple venues. His latest book 'Déserts' (Deserts), published in June by Éditions de la Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain, features a collection of striking black and white photographs. The publication showcases Depardon's mastery of monochrome imagery, capturing vast desert landscapes with his signature documentary style.

Simultaneously, the Festival Cinemed in Montpellier is hosting a comprehensive cinematic retrospective honoring both Raymond Depardon and Claudine Nougaret. This tribute highlights Depardon's multifaceted career as a photographer, director, producer, screenwriter, and journalist. The retrospective demonstrates the breadth of his contributions to French cinema and documentary filmmaking over several decades.

During the radio program, several excerpts from Depardon's notable works were featured, including clips from his 1981 documentary 'Reporters,' which featured Jean-Luc Godard. The show also highlighted 'Une partie de campagne' (A Day in the Country) from 1974 and 'Les années déclic 1957-1977' (The Click Years 1957-1977), a collaborative work with Roger Ikhlef from 1984. These selections illustrate the evolution of Depardon's artistic vision and his significant impact on French documentary cinema.

The interview program also incorporated musical selections chosen by Depardon himself, including 'Les cent prochaines années' by Albin de la Simone. Additional musical programming featured 'Le labyrinthe' by Feu! Chatterton and 'Something you said' by Ala.ni, creating an atmospheric backdrop that complemented the discussion of Depardon's artistic journey.

As part of his cultural recommendations, Depardon highlighted Luc Delahaye's exhibition 'Le bruit du monde' (The Noise of the World) currently showing at the Jeu de Paume in Paris. This endorsement reflects Depardon's continued engagement with contemporary photography and his support for fellow artists working in the medium.

The radio show was produced by Eva Bester with direction by Lola Costantini, production assistance from Joseph Hascal and Franck Olivar, programming by Céline Villegas, and musical programming by Juliette Lorphelin. This comprehensive tribute to Depardon's work reinforces his status as one of France's most influential visual storytellers, whose career spans photography, cinema, and journalism across more than five decades.