75. La Mif; movie review

 

LA MIF

Cert 15

112 mins

BBFC advice: Contains very strong language, sexual violence, domestic abuse

One of the most transformative moments of my recent life was when I became connected with a local YMCA.

As a newspaper editor, I had witnessed myriad shocking events but even I was ill-prepared for some of the horrors which I learned had been inflicted upon young people.

Almost every example of what could be perceived as their bad behaviour could be traced back to cruelty inflicted upon them or lack of a caring upbringing.

I saw many echoes in Fred Baillif's La Mif - a word which is used by the young people in care to mean family. 

It is filmed as a documentary in the setting of a residential home in Geneva and with the help of its owner (Claudia Grob) the staff and residents who play parts to a loose script.

At the home, a group of teenage girls from difficult backgrounds live as a community with social workers.

The atmosphere is explosive and can drift from fun to fractious in the blink of an eye.

Baillif's film is split into small chapters which concentrate on the individuals and reproduce different scenes through their respective eyes in Rashomon-style.

Each of their stories has an element of heartbreak and a young person who is trying to find their way in an uncertain world.

Meanwhile, an incident happens which causes huge upheaval, threatening the future of the home while also revealing the weaknesses of the outdated contemporary social care system.  

The film was developed over a period of two years by Baillif, a former social worker who has a clear empathy to both the young people and the staff who struggle to fill the parental void while keeping within tight regulations. 

Often, it seems to be an impossible job because their charges are constantly kicking out (often violently) against a world which they believe is loaded against them.

Thanks to his own experience, Baillif  has created a film which is deliberately rough around the edges and totally credible.

It shows how tough the world can be for some young people as well as those trying to help them be contributing members of society.

Reasons to watch: An insight into the teenage care system

Reasons to avoid: Needs clearer explanation

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 8.5/10

Did you know? Switzerland was one of the last countries to have ratified the UN convention for the rights of the child in 1997.

The final word. Fred Baillif: "It didn’t have dialogues, but a general plot, an outline and some punchlines. The director of the children’s home, Claudia Grob (Lora), shared with me her strong frustration towards the youth protection system and doing so, she extremely inspired me."

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