vinicius_coutinho
Since a new law came into force in France, in 2013, any patient who check in a psychiatric hospital, against own will, must have an audience with a judge within 12 days for the judge to determine if the patient must continue at the institution or must be released. If it is decided to keep the patient at the hospital every and each 6 months a new court hearing takes place. This powerful documentary shows a coupe of hearings of patients and their attorneys and the judges. Between them remains the query of the true meaning of freedom and what those patients expect for their future. The filming was authorized having as condition changing the names and location of the patients and institutions to preserve their anonymity, even tough patients' faces are showed. This fact also raises a controversy point, if the patients are not considered sane enough to be released from the hospital and continue the treatment outside, why should they be considered capable of authorizing the filming? Despite this moral inconsistency, this is a beautiful and touching documentary that shows the sadness of losing their minds to the point of hurting themselves or other people around.It's painful and uncomfortable seeing an human being to loose one of our greatest gifts - the consciousness. The original music by Alexander Desplat add tenderness and emotion to this movie and at some points it sounds impossible to hold the tears, mainly when a female patient conscious of the need of her to stay at the hospital and keep the treatment, asks to see her daughter, even as assisted visit, since she is aware of her condition and that she is not able to take care of her daughter on her own.
