Histoire de Paul

French film maker René Féret made his début with this film in 1974.It was his first critical success and applause for it came from famous French philosopher Michel Foucault who compared this film to British master Ken Loach's film "Family Life".This comparison is absolutely valid as like Ken Loach who has been an ardent supporter depicting the cause of English life in his films,René Féret has also championed the cause of Northern France in films.For those who are bothered about story and plot there is not much of hope.The real story of this film,if there is any story,is to be judged by the fact that film's helpless protagonist Paul has been condemned to a madhouse after a failed suicide attempt.Paul's plight is the central focus of the film as in psychiatric ward,he is compelled neither to have any history nor any story.What we see in this film is a sad tale which takes place in a psychiatric hospital whose inmates,doctors live according to their own set of rules.As a scathing attack on the absurdity of system in French mental institutions,L'histoire de Paul won Jean Vigo award in 1974.

René Feret is largely overlooked in his native France.His "Mystere Alexina" was certainly one of the most original movies of the thirty last years.

"Histoire de Paul" is a sad depressing story.Filmed on a shoestring budget,with no stars (like Bresson,his closest relative)and an austere treatment,Feret tells the story of a depressive young man ,an inmate in a psychiatrist hospital where humanity seems to have disappeared. The loss of a sense of self best describes this work.

Should appeal to people who were moved by Kenneth Loach's "family life" or Georges Franju's "la Tete Contre les Murs" .