Our Lucky Hours (2022)

Our Lucky Hours (2022) poster

45,000 patients died in French psychiatric hospitals between 1939 and 1945. A single site escaped this carnage: the asylum in Saint-Alban, an isolated village in Lozère. What happened there for it to be an exception? Retracing several decades in the history of this important site of psychiatry, using precious archival films and the accounts of those who worked there, Martine Deyres answers this question and, in doing so, shows how the political courage and poetic audacity that were practised there contributed to changing medicine and society’s perception on madness. Intersecting in the crucible of this movement called “institutional psychotherapy” were members of the Resistance, artists, doctors and philosophers—including Paul Eluard, Tristan Tzara and Georges Canguilhem.

Director: Martine Deyres
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 77 min
Release Date:

Screenplay

Music: Olivier Brisson, Nicola Marinoni
Cinematography: Jean Christophe Beauvallet, Jean Christophe Gaudry
Editing: Philippe Boucq, Catherine Catella
Production: Les Films du Tambour de soie
Country: Belgium, France, Switzerland
Language: Français
Original Language: fr

Trailer

Our Lucky Hours Trailer
More Films by Director: Martine Deyres
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Our Lucky Hours about?
45,000 patients died in French psychiatric hospitals between 1939 and 1945. A single site escaped this carnage: the asylum in Saint-Alban, an isolated village in Lozère. What happened there for it to be an exception? Retracing several decades in the history of this important site of psychiatry, using precious archival films and the accounts of those who worked there, Martine Deyres answers this question and, in doing so, shows how the political courage and poetic audacity that were practised there contributed to changing medicine and society’s perception on madness. Intersecting in the crucible of this movement called “institutional psychotherapy” were members of the Resistance, artists, doctors and philosophers—including Paul Eluard, Tristan Tzara and Georges Canguilhem.
Who directed Our Lucky Hours?
Our Lucky Hours was directed by Martine Deyres.
How long is Our Lucky Hours?
Our Lucky Hours has a runtime of 1h 17m (77 minutes).
What genre is Our Lucky Hours?
Our Lucky Hours is a Documentary film.
Where was Our Lucky Hours produced?
Our Lucky Hours was produced in Belgium, France, Switzerland.