Mimi Jane was inspired by Brittany’s traditional sailing workboats; more precisely, the tuna-fishing dundees from Concarneau. Concarneau is where I spent some of my happiest childhood days and where my love for boats and the sea first began.
While dundees are iconic in Brittany, they remain little known elsewhere in the world. In fact, even in Brittany, their story had largely faded from memory until the release of Alain Pichon’s 2020 film “Septembre 1930, Thoniers dans la tempête”. It’s a remarkable film I’ve long wanted to share in North America with friends, family, and anyone who’s shown interest in Mimi Jane and by extension in Brittany’s sailing workboats. There was just one small problem: the film was only available in French.
After waiting five years, hoping an English-subtitled version might appear, I finally decided to reach out to Alain Pichon and offered to take on the translation myself.
I’m beyond thrilled to finally be able to share the English subtitled version of the film: “September 1930 , Sailing Tuna Boats in the Storm”.
This 70 minute film was created to commemorate the devastating storm of September 17–20, 1930, a storm that claimed 27 dundees and 207 sailors caught in its fury off the coast of Ireland.
Archivists, historians (both amateur and professional), engineers, academics, sailors, painters, illustrators, and musicians all came together, pooling their skills and passion to bring this story to life.
The film’s first part explores the boats, their crews, tuna fishing, heavy-weather sailing techniques, and the meteorological conditions that led to the September storm. Then, the audience is artfully taken alongside the sailors, right into the heart of the turmoil. The final segment tells of the survivors’ return and the grief that awaited ashore.
Beyond Brittany’s history, the film captures the harsh and demanding life of fishermen in the early 1900s, a life defined by courage, endurance, and constant exposure to the elements.
You can now watch September 1930, Sailing Tuna Boats in the Storm on YouTube. We also hope to give the film a traveling life aboard Mimi Jane, with free public screenings along our voyages.
If you’re interested in hosting a screening or sharing the film with your community, we’d love to hear from you.
