Préjudice is a French foreign language film that follows the
Hintjens family as they invite their now adult aged children over for a dinner
party.
The film’s main character is Cédric, the family’s youngest son who has a mental disability.
The film’s main character is Cédric, the family’s youngest son who has a mental disability.
Préjudice touches on many prevailing themes revolving around
family relations, stigmas associated to mental illnesses and different
treatments available for people living with such illnesses.
Before you dive into watching Préjudice, it is important to
know that the film touches on some sensitive topics with a few disturbing on-screen
scenes.
Synopsis
Préjudice takes place at the Hintjens’ suburban family home. The family appears to be very normal, just like any other.
Both parents are proud of their three children, two of whom are married and have their lives on track.
However, this isn’t the case for Cédric who has non-descript mental illness and still lives with his parents.
Cédric is something of a family
secret. They rarely speak about him to members outside of their family. This
becomes even more apparent when his sister, her husband, his older brother’s
wife and her son come over for dinner. Aside from formalities, none of Cédric’s
in-law siblings know much about him.
The dinner appears to be going just the way Cédric’s parents
plan, although with a couple of hiccups (as they have come to expect with Cédric).
But, over the course of the dinner party things start to unravel. Cédric reaches his breaking point. He voices some of his long held opinions and suspicions about his family, which threatens to ruin the family’s evening.
But, over the course of the dinner party things start to unravel. Cédric reaches his breaking point. He voices some of his long held opinions and suspicions about his family, which threatens to ruin the family’s evening.
The remainder of the film follows the family as tensions and
emotions rise as the night moves on. All while Cédric attempts to prove
that he is much more than his disability. That he is a capable man.
Important Themes
Préjudice is a film that may not be for everyone. The film, though intensely intriguing, reveals some dark secrets a family keeps from others.
Préjudice directly touches on themes relating how victims of mental illness are treated and how they at times can become victims of verbal, psychological, emotional and at times even physical abuse.
According to a systemic review of statistical data from EU member countries, 27% of all adults have experienced at
least one of a series of mental disorders within the past year alone. Which
pans out to an approximate population of 83 million affected per year. These numbers are
said to be even higher in actuality as the study excluded people above the age
of 65.
Moreover, the same statistical review shows that 90% of all
suicides can be attributed to mental illnesses in high-income countries.
Additionally, 22% of all suicides are said to be directly linked with alcohol consumption. Which has lead many EU countries implementing actions to defeat alcohol addictions by helping curb alcohol abuse.
Additionally, 22% of all suicides are said to be directly linked with alcohol consumption. Which has lead many EU countries implementing actions to defeat alcohol addictions by helping curb alcohol abuse.
In addition, there has also been a worldwide practice of
using restraints to chain a person to their bed or bedroom post. As archaic as
it may sound, these practices are still ongoing and is a widespread issue.
Many point towards low-resource countries when it comes to this phenomenon, but it is still widely done in high-income countries.
Many point towards low-resource countries when it comes to this phenomenon, but it is still widely done in high-income countries.
When it comes down to it, there is no room for practices like
restrainment and detention to take place in 2018. It is inhumane and wrong.
Over the years, the connection between detention and mental health has become
evermore apparent.
Here is a factsheet from the European Court of Human Rights detailing cases that have fallen under their jurisdiction.
Here is a factsheet from the European Court of Human Rights detailing cases that have fallen under their jurisdiction.
To read more on ‘chain-free’ initiatives, I can point you to
this resource from the World Health Organization.
Conclusion
Préjudice is both a dark and brilliant film. It catches your attention early and keeps it till the end.
It fills you with a lingering feeling of unsettlement and keeps you glued to your tv screen.
There is something quite haunting and intimate about the
film. Much of this is down to the superb directing, stunning cinematography and
captivating performance by the lead character.
Préjudice delivers in telling a unique story on the topic of
mental illness abuse, which ultimately closes with a very revealing ending. If you’re looking for
a film that is a bit more off pace and intricate look no further.
Pick a
suitable day and time to watch it. However, I would suggest not watching it
over your dinner. As watching a ruined dinner party, over dinner might just ruin yours.
