LE MAL DU CORPS
Originally conceived as a short film that was never produced, “Le mal du corps” found its narrative form as an experimental screenplay storyboard.
Designed as an intimate exploration between the mind and its physical vessel, the project revolves around a poetic dialogue between a soul and its human incarnation. Through this confrontation, it reflects on loneliness, social pressure, identity, and a deep desire for emancipation.
Although written in English and designed for potential translation into other languages, the title “Le mal du corps” remains strictly in French as the project’s original anchor.
To view or acquire the complete editorial object - the photographs are available for sales too-, contact the artist :)
SCENE 01 — INT. DARKNESS
SOUL (V.O)
You ever get lonely?
REAL PERSON (v.o)
Only around people!
SCENE 05 — INT. BATHROOM — NIGHT
A man is in the shower, folding his arms... water falling all over his body. The shadow on the wall makes him feel trapped in his space.
REAL PERSON (V.O.)
I think I should get a tattoo!
SOUL (V.O.)
(laughing)
Why?
REAL PERSON (V.O.)
I don't drink, I don't smoke. I do nothing harmful with my body! A tattoo might do it for me.
The camera moves around the wall. There's a large clock, its hands are moving, producing a subtle noise in the silence.
SOUL (V.O.)
I have realized that the longer, the more people expect so much from you.
REAL PERSON (V.O.)
How?
SOUL (V.O.)
Like if you die at 25, after graduating, people will be proud of you.
REAL PERSON (V.O.)
Yeah...?
SOUL (V.O.)
But then the older you get, people will expect you to have kids, a fulfilling career, later even grandkids... it's so frustrating!
REAL PERSON (V.O.)
I agree with you on that one!
SOUL (V.O.)
I want to go at 27, you know, like all those other famous artists.
REAL PERSON (V.O.)
(laughing)
I don't agree with you on that one.
A man is sitting on a table chair, looking outside through the window.
SCENE 06 — INT. CLOSE-UP
The eyes closing and opening again.
SOUL (V.O.)
You know what you need? To fall in love! That will make you happy!
REAL PERSON (V.O.)
Seeing people, walking hands in hands, smiling and all... and I'm mad at them, why isn't there someone who understands me like that?
SOUL (V.O.)
Why you mad? You don't understand yourself.
REAL PERSON (V.O.)
Never mind. I think God has people he favors more than others.
A silence.
Two hands, outside in the air, are reaching for each other.
SCENE 07 — EXT. HOUSE — DAY
The camera moves showing different parts of a man who is sitting in a declining angle on a small chair.
REAL PERSON (V.O.)
(excited)
Ooh I forgot to tell you, last night I kissed a boy.
SOUL (V.O.)
(smiling)
For real? Who?
REAL PERSON (V.O.)
It was a dream, I didn't see his face.
SOUL (V.O.)
Where were you?
REAL PERSON (V.O.)
He worked in a coffee shop. There was something simple about him that I liked, from the way he dressed to how he talked and walked.
SOUL (V.O.)
I think I know who it is!
REAL PERSON (V.O.)
Good for you! Don't tell me who it is.
SOUL (V.O.)
So you like boys now?
REAL PERSON (V.O.)
I don't know... I think I like them both, but I enjoyed it. In fact, I don't think I'll ever date women again.
SOUL (V.O.)
People will talk. Your mom will probably kill herself.
REAL PERSON (V.O.)
She would be doing me a favor! I'm tired of living up to people's expectations.
Someone exhales smoke from a cigarette on a guy's face. Hiding it completely.