CPH:DOX 2025 – The Typewriter and Other Headaches / La machine a ecrire

Goulven’s typewriter has broken down. It’s catastrophic because he writes all his poetry on it, so he has called in two male carers to see if they can fix it. The two are an inimitable duo, and under Goulven’s worried gaze they take the typewriter apart and put it back together without them really knowing how they did it. Cut. Now the duo are at Muriel’s house, whose beloved CD player is not working. This is a problem because music is the only thing that can keep the darkness and loneliness out of her head. So the duo must see if they can fix it too. Cut. Now they’re at Ivan’s house, who is having problems with both his printer and his DVD player. Cut. Now it’s time to clean out Frédéric’s bohemian and hordes of books, records and art in his apartment. The final part of French director Nicolas Philibert’s award-winning trilogy about alternative psychiatric treatment in Paris is probably the kindest film of the year. A reminder of the importance of compassion and care.