On n’est pas seul sur Terre: A few throughts on Pascal Obispo

A track from Pascal Obispo's recent Obispo album, recounting how he witnessed a road accident and helped the seriously injured victim, who later contacted him. Obispo pays tribute to that man, Nicolas Lacambre, who features in the video.

Obispo tells how in February 2008 he was driving on the road between Cap Ferret and Bordeaux when he witnessed an accident involving a motorcycle and a car. When he got to the scene the other driver had fled and the severely injured rider was left in the road. He moved him to the roadside and contacted the emergency services.

One year later at an event in Bordeaux a security guard introduced him to a man using a wheelchair, Nicolas Lacambre, the man he saved.

Since then the two remained in contact, Obispo deciding after ten years to recount what happened and to pay tribute to Lacambre, who features in the video.

It's a powerful piece, perhaps all the more so as it avoids over-dramatisation and re-affirms the value of humanity.

If you weren't familiar with Obispo, you would think Lacambre was the star of the video. Again, it avoids the temptation to do the obvious. He's not portrayed here as a victim but as an equal; you could almost expect him to duet with Obispo. The injuries he received in the accident are obvious, and are not concealed, but they're not exploited for a cheap emotional reaction either. It's a thoughtful and affecting piece of work.

Pascal Obispo is on tour at the moment supporting the release of his album. Nicolas Lacambre, meanwhile, is preparing to release a book telling his story. It will also be entitled On n’est pas seul sur Terre.