In Côte d'Ivoire, in the small village of Trinlé-Diapleu, with a population of around 1,000, the Victor Houali center treats mentally ill patients from all over the country. There are no walls or fences here to separate the villagers from the patients. The patients are free to come and go as they please. This method of care was introduced in the 1980s by two French psychiatrists, Philippe Bichon and Frédérique Drogoul, both working at the La Borde clinic. The cases are sometimes very serious, with acute psychotic episodes or severe forms of schizophrenia. But the support work carried out by this psychiatric hospital, which is unique in the world, is producing very good results.
French director and actor Niels Tavernier has been interested in disability issues for many years. He mainly focuses on documentaries and has also directed "Aurore" with Carole Bouquet and François Berléand and "De toutes nos forces" with Jacques Gamblin and Alexandra Lamy.
Broadcast: Saturday, October 10, 2020, at 6:35 p.m. and on arte.tv/reportage
Press release