Watch The Thorn in the Heart

The Thorn in the Heart is a French autobiographical documentary film directed by Michel Gondry, which premiered in May 2009. The film tells the story of Michel's aunt, Suzette Gondry, who devoted her entire life to teaching in rural France. It explores the struggles and contradictions that come with being a teacher, mother, and sister all at once.

The film covers several decades of Suzette's life, from her childhood in the 1940s to the present day. We learn about her upbringing and her difficult relationship with her father, who expected her to become a nun. We see her as a young teacher, full of energy and ambition, marrying her first husband and moving to a small village in Brittany. We follow her as she raises her three children, struggles with her marriage, and tries to balance her personal and professional life.

Throughout the film, Michel Gondry interviews Suzette, her siblings, her former students, and her own children. He uses old home movies and photographs to bring Suzette's story to life. We learn about her teaching methods, her love for poetry, and her passion for the French language. We also see her more vulnerable side, as she talks about her own insecurities, her regrets, and her fears of growing old.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film is the contrast between Suzette's idealistic vision of teaching and the reality of the rural schools she worked in. The film shows the dilapidated classrooms, the lack of resources, and the resistance from parents and local politicians. We see how Suzette's dedication to her students often came at the expense of her own health and personal life.

The Thorn in the Heart is also a family portrait, as Michel Gondry explores the relationships between Suzette and her siblings, her children, and her second husband, Jean-Yves. We see the conflicts and tensions that arise between them, but also the love and affection that binds them together. We witness the passing of the family torch from Suzette to her own children, as they take on teaching and artistic careers of their own.

The film is directed in Michel Gondry's signature style, which combines dreamlike animation, surreal imagery, and playful music. It is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant work, that manages to capture the complexity of family dynamics and the beauty of a life dedicated to education.

In conclusion, The Thorn in the Heart is a touching and intimate portrait of a remarkable woman and her family. It is a celebration of the power of education and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a film that invites us to reflect on our own relationships, our own aspirations, and our own thorns in the heart.

The Thorn in the Heart is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 49.