Le Seul Rêve (The Only Dream, ერთადერთი ოცნება) is a photo-documentary project set in Georgia, aiming to highlight the ambitions of children aspiring to become professional wrestlers.
With a poetic and admiring gaze, Vincent Duluc-David captures the delicate balance between gentleness and violence.
Born from several trips made between 2023 and 2024 to this country—one with a long history of wrestling—this project explores social determinism and the notion of “making a man.”
Georgia has a deep passion for this sport, and children are introduced to it at a very early age. Wrestling serves as a means of building strong character, a school of life that reinforces the model of a robust man. Each child learns to conform to social expectations, shaping his identity in the shadow of an omnipresent masculine figure. Set against post-Soviet environments that have suffered the ravages of time, the images explore historical, cultural, and religious resonances, creating a palpable link between the past and the future in a country still marked by political tensions as it seeks independence. In these deteriorated surroundings, every crack and every peeling wall stands as a silent witness to the struggles and dreams forged within them.
These young wrestlers, innocent like children yet serious like adults, display both enthusiasm and timidity in their eyes. Through this visual exploration, Vincent Duluc-David seeks to reflect on how these children shape their future through a sport that defines not only their physical form but also their identity and role in society. Le Seul Rêve aims to present an aesthetic yet non-exhaustive vision of the cultural similarities and differences between these young wrestlers while highlighting their sociological perspectives.
About Vincent Duluc-David
Vincent Duluc-David is a French director, editor, and photographer whose work explores the human and social realities of identity, youth, and violence through a poetic and intimate lens. Graduating from ESRA Paris in 2017, he began his career working on diverse projects spanning fiction, advertising, and music videos. He has collaborated with acclaimed artists like Wong Kar Wai and prestigious brands such as Louis Vuitton. His five years as a trailer editor profoundly shaped his cinematic vision, refining his expertise in storytelling, sound design, and emotional impact through meticulous editing.
His visual style is rooted in close observation, capturing raw emotions and fleeting moments while exploring contrasts. Among his standout works is Le seul rêve, a documentary photo series that portrays the world of young wrestlers in Georgia, revealing the fine line between softness and violence. In recognition of his work, he was named Emerging Talent 2024 by LensCulture. His short film Juvénile, released in 2021, established his authentic and aesthetic approach. He recently directed a music video for Rival Consoles, filmed in Kyrgyzstan, which combines stunning visuals with a compelling narrative. Deeply inspired by personal experiences, he infuses his projects with sincerity and depth, driven by a quest to understand human connections, the natural world, and the mystical. [Official Website]
