the life of a hospital unit in Yvelines in agony soon in the cinema

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The Last Breathwhich is scheduled to be released in theaters on February 12, 2025, was partly filmed at the Vésinet hospital and is largely inspired by the daily life of thepalliative care unit from Houdan hospital (Yvelines).

In the direction, we find Costa-Gavras, jury prize at the Cannes festival and Oscar for best foreign film in 1969 for Z.

This film, with Denis Podalydès and Kad Merad starring, is an adaptation of a eponymous book on the theme of the end of life, co-signed in 2023 by the philosopher Régis Debray and Doctor Claude Grange, founder of the palliative care unit at Houdan hospital.

Houdan hospital as inspiration

If their names are different in the film (Fabrice Toussaint for the first, Augustin Masset for the second), their speech remain the same as in the work published in 2023.

Through the friendship of the two men, the viewer discovers the daily life of a palliative care unit. “The stories of end of life are beautiful, too,” assures Claude Grange.

“The film is a hymn to life with the anguish of death felt by Fabrice Toussaint as a common thread. »

“A patient’s last moments can be wonderful”

Aware that the theme of the work could frighten the public, the specialist in supporting patients at death’s door, first sees it as an illustration of the fact that “a patient’s last moments can be wonderful”.

The gallery of characters opens up thoughts on how to say goodbye to loved ones, ways to keep your dignity until the end or the different beliefs about the after without falling into the morbid.

Three looks at one unit

In 2023, there was first a book, published by Gallimard, then the documentary Livingdirected by Victor Grange, the doctor’s son, available on the Public Senate website. Costa-Gavras, winner of the Palme d’or 1982 with Missingmade it a work of fiction.

“It’s just amazing for one of the 80,000 French general practitioners to see his name in the credits,” rejoices Claude Grange, who makes an appearance in an unsuitable role. The film is transpartisan while remaining faithful to the philosophy of palliative care. »

Different opinions on the current law

One of the scenes deciphers the deep sedation protocol continued until death, provided for by the Claeys-Leonetti law of 2016 and only legal alternative to assisted suicide.

“Costa-Gavras and I have different opinions on the question,” explains Claude Grange. Yet the film in no way betrays my book, everyone can find themselves in this passage. »

A much darker reality

If the film was shot in part within the Vésinet hospital and not in that of Houdan, it is because the Houdan palliative care unit lowered the curtain at the start of 2024.

“The situation has not changed since then, we are still looking for a doctor to lead it. Its recruitment is one of the priorities of our new director. »

Sadness of the founder

The situation continues to sadden Claude Grange, also worried about the few remaining caregivers dispatched to other services while awaiting a possible reopening. “I will continue to do everything so that this unit which offered a extraordinary support revive,” he announces.

For its part, the management of the hospital group hopes that the dissemination of the Last breath will give want to apply to some practitioners.

The Last Breathby Costa-Gavras, with Denis Podalydès, Kad Merad, Claude Grange… Theatrical release scheduled for Wednesday February 12, 2025.

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