The Ordinary Madness of a Daughter of Ham

"Fifty Years in Blackness: Between Liberation and Madness"

1986 1h 19m FR

🤯

10.0

MASTERPIECE

★10.0TMDB · 1

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In Jean Rouch's cinematic reinterpretation of Julius-Amédée Laou's theatrical work, a freshly appointed nurse steps into the chaotic world of a psychiatric ward. Tasked with nurturing the minds within, she forms a profound connection with a patient from Martinique who has been confined within the institution's walls for half a century. As their relationship deepens, the lines between reality and delusion blur, weaving a complex narrative of human connection and psychological intrigue.

“Fifty Years in Blackness: Between Liberation and Madness”

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Cast

Jenny Alpha
Madame Amélie
Sylvie Laporte
Fernande
Cathérine Rougelin
Mon Curé Blanc

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Jean Rouch
Writers: Julius-Amédée Laou
Languages: French
Countries: France

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 79-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

40 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Françoise Belloux shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Jenny Alpha and Sylvie Laporte and Cathérine Rougelin carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Fifty Years in Blackness: Between Liberation and Madness".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0210045 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 1 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Jean Rouch directs. Françoise Belloux cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in France. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 79-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
240 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Editor Françoise Belloux shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Jenny Alpha and Sylvie Laporte and Cathérine Rougelin carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "Fifty Years in Blackness: Between Liberation and Madness".
7IMDB entry: tt0210045 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 1 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.