Fabien Clouette

Fabien Clouette is a research fellow in anthropology at the CNRS. His doctoral work was based on an ethnographic study of the new generation of Breton fishermen. Since 2019, his postdoctoral research has focused on the interactions between human societies and marine mammals. He is also a filmmaker and novelist.

The project

Title: Charisma: Exploring the Connections Between Coastal Societies and Large Cetaceans

"Charisma is a research project exploring the relationships between coastal societies and large cetaceans. The Basque Country was chosen as the field of study due to its rich heritage and contemporary dynamics. Once a whaling hub, the Southwest region is now home to several naturalist organizations that maintain close ties with local cetacean populations.

Once a provider of light—its oil fueling illumination and industrial growth—the whale has now become a symbolic and emotional beacon. As a protected, “charismatic” species, its presence and absence alike evoke fascination and mobilization. From majestic silhouettes glimpsed at sea to dramatic strandings, and skeletons displayed in museums, our research traces the unique history we share with these ocean giants.

By gathering scientific knowledge, testimonies, and popular traditions, we examine this complex relationship—one shaped by past exploitation and ongoing wonder. This Arts/SSH project will culminate in a creative documentary."

Institution: CNRS

Selected publications

• Des vies océaniques, Editions du Seuil, 2025.
• Le feu de la baleine, feature-length documentary, co-directed with Jeremie Brugidou, 2025.