Benoit Dervaux filmed the psychotherapeutic institution La Devinière that in 1976 opened its doors to 19 reputedly incurable children, rejected by all.
On February 18, 1976, the psychotherapeutic institution La Devinière opened its doors to 19 reputedly incurable children, rejected by all. It was seemingly beyond the limits of common sense, psychiatry and pedagogy to acknowledge them, or recognize them. La Devinière accepted these virtually exiled children unconditionally, in keeping its founding principle not to reject them on any grounds. The word "asylum" recovers its original meaning here : a space without bars and without drugs, where one has the right to "live with one’s madness". Over more than twenty years, bonds of solidarity have been forged between these individuals without attachments. With the passing seasons, I have filmed at close range this place that has enabled life to flourish, there were everything seemed foredoomed.