Michel Raynaud

PostED ON 16.10.2025

BRIEF BIO: He is as skilled at first aid as he is at salsa dancing and knows the criminal procedural code by heart. Michel Raynaud, former head of the national police force, also enjoys ‘DJing to liven things up’ at events organised by the Odynéo association, which supports people with disabilities. This young retired civil service man has even been a juror at the Quais du polar festival. It's a role tailor-made for him as a keen detective and fan of crime novelist Harlan Coben. In fact, it was the team behind the Quais du polar festival who suggested he volunteer at this year's Lumière. A native of Béziers with a disconcerting humility, commitment is not just a word for him: he has been a first-responder with the Red Cross for seventeen years, treasurer of the association for the bilingual education of deaf children (Asbes) for six years and as mentioned, a volunteer with the Odynéo association. Michel Raynaud joined the national police force in Troyes in 1990 and rose through the ranks, inducted into the narcotics crew and then the investigations unit. Between sips of iced tea, he admits to having ‘created a brigade specialising in domestic violence in Bron in 2006’. With commitment in his DNA, he is a dream recruit for the festival’s team of volunteers!

MY FAVOURITE FILMMAKERS: This will surprise you: Olivier Marchal! Obviously, as a former police officer, I’m drawn to his cinematic world. I also love Clint Eastwood's œuvre, for his storytelling skills.

THE THEATRE WHERE I DISCOVERED CINEMA: The theatre of my teenage years is Le Chanteclair in the Croix-Rousse. But I went to my first screenings in Châlons-en Champagne in a cinema whose name I no longer remember, but my first film was The Aristocats!

MY GO-TO FILM: As soon as I turned eighteen, I went to see a film that was forbidden to those who were underage, and it wasn't the kind of film you might have in mind! It was Alan Parker's Midnight Express, and it's definitely the film that made the biggest impression on me.

WHY I VOLUNTEER: To create connections with people I share the same values, passions and activities with. To feel useful and develop new skills.

MY MISSIONS AT THE FESTIVAL: I help welcome festivalgoers at several movie theatres: Comoedia, UGC Confluence and Les Amphis in Vaulx-en-Velin.

Reported by Laura Lépine

© Laura Lépine