15 jours ailleurs

overview

Unbearable pressure, unfair competition from a young assistant: Vincent burned out in the middle of a business meeting. With his wife's consent, he was admitted to a psychiatric ward. Neglected by an overworked care team, he befriends Hélène, a young psychotic woman, who is the only one who can get him to talk and cheer up. Hélène confides in him that she dreams of getting out as soon as possible to find her son, Lucas, whose custody has been taken away from her. The Juge des Libertés denies Hélène a trial discharge, which enrages her and leads to her being placed in solitary confinement. When Vincent leaves the hospital, Hélène deceives the nurses, runs away and begs him to help her see Lucas again. Vincent doesn't have the heart to turn her in and accepts the mission.