Terres d'asile.

Documentary about the Mareville (Nancy) from the 16th century to the present. Mareville was primarily an institution for the treatment (or confinement) of the mentally ill. Changing attitudes towards the insane at Mareville over the last 400 years reflect those of society in general. This film is thus a history both of Mareville and of the treatment of the insane. The history of Mareville began in 1597 with the establishment of an 'Hpital de Pestifrs'. The prevailing attitude was that the mad were cursed by God. The regime was one of confinement and control. From 1793 onwards, the regime changed as people began to see madness as an illness. The famous reformer Pinel urged that the mad be freed from their chains and their mental illness treated. Mareville became a centre for the treatment of 'mental alienation'. The 20th century has seen a revolution in the treatment of the mentally ill. The innovations of Freud and Bernheim and the use of drugs, shock therapy and lobotomy have all had varying degrees of success. In recent times, the policy of 'sectorisation' has been adopted at Mareville. There are now far fewer residents; most patients live in the community. This is a stylish film, with the theme (leitmotif) of a photographer developing pictures as the narrator develops the storyline. Where possible the film has been illustrated with archive material. In other places, we see actors huddled in the postures of the insane, or bowed in supplication. The colour red is used repeatedly to suggest madness or confusion.