En permanence

In Guingamp, the daily life of a medical and social center: abused women, the homeless, drug addicts, the unemployed, foster children, interviews, files, group therapy, legal aid, appraisal meetings… Sickness, family problems, financial hardship, depression and solitude combine their ills to destroy people and banish any chance of their rehabilitation. The task seems insurmountable. And in a certain way, it is, as we can’t help but feel all the weight of society’s inertia in these paralysing situations. The only moment of relief comes from the outside, unexpectedly: a woman is suddenly joyful as she has found love, and the courage to leave her husband. Despite the obstacles and handicaps, the failures and doubts, the staff persevere, fight, advise, comfort and sometimes, amidst all the disorder and so much distress, even find the chance to laugh. The “C” has fallen off the outside sign, “Social-Medical Centre”. The building is dark and nondescript, as if it had to be made as invisible as possible. Inside, however, not the slightest shadow, the slightest decoration, bare walls and a harsh, overpowering light, so strong that it flashes faces, even in close-ups, the only frame allowed here… as if society could only image giving its help to those who ask for it by taking away from them their last possession: a mirror in which they could love themselves. (Yann Lardeau)