On the Adamant

directed by Nicolas Philibert
Golden Bear Winner 2023
Preview Screening (released in September)
France, Japan | 2022 | 109 mins
Documentary

Synopsis

Berlin Film Week 2023 will Open with Golden Bear winner “On the Adamant”.
Preview screening before its September release.

Nicolas Philibert’s award-winning film “On the Adamant” offers a compassionate and intelligent portrayal of a floating day-care center for individuals with mental disorders in Paris. With its unique design blending elements of a Mississippi riverboat and an art studio, The Adamant provides counseling and art therapy, alongside hosting an annual film festival curated by the patients themselves. The film showcases the power of outsider art and emphasizes the importance of treating patients with respect and dignity. Through heartfelt moments and poignant narratives, “On the Adamant” captures a sense of freedom, warmth, and human curiosity, offering a compelling exploration of mental health within a non-traditional setting.

Credits

Director: Nicolas Philibert
Cinematography: Nicolas Philibert
Editing: Janusz Baranek, Nicolas Philibert
Sound Design: Érik Ménard
Sound: François Abdelnour
Producers: Céline Loiseau, Gilles Sacuto, Miléna Poylo
Distribution: Grandfilm

Screening schedule

Wednesday 28 June 19:00
Sputnik Kino
Hasenheide 54/5th, 10967 Berlin

Language

French with German subtitles

Genre

Documentary

Festivals and Awards

Golden Bear Winner
Berlinale 2023

About the Director

Born in Nancy, France in 1951, Nicolas Philibert studied philosophy and began his film career in the 1970s as an assistant director to René Allio, Alain Tanner, and Claude Goretta. Between 1985 and 1987, he directed mountaineering and other sports films for television. After making several shorts, he directed his debut feature-length documentary La Ville Louvre in 1990. His portrait of an orangutan, Nénette, was screened in the Berlinale Forum in 2010. Since 2002, his films have been presented in over 100 retrospectives and tribute events around the world.