Cousin Madenn

I screened 150 films for a documentary film festival in the past year and Cousin Madenn was in my top three list of all films viewed. Greg, the film maker and engaging co-star, takes us on a journey through Paris with his visiting cousin, Madenn. The film is spontaneous and quirky as we become a threesome with the pair as they explore Madenn's life, crippled by a disability, and the pleasure of Paris. There is an engaging and touching spirit about the film, which hit me unexpectedly. The film seemed spontaneous and real, unlike the tightly scripted documentaries we see so often. I usually am not so attracted to films about the film maker nor films which feature the frailty of the human mind., but I sat back and was quickly drawn in to Cousin Madenn. .

This movie is very moving. Madenn is very touching, funny, passionate and can make everyone change their opinion or their view on people suffering from any handicap. This great movie is not pessimistic, on the contrary! It's a hopeful movie that talks about love, friendship...

Madenn is being presented as a normal person, with feelings, laughter, anger, sadness sometimes but we forget she is handicapped because we all have been through those feelings and ways of thinking.

The family link between Greg Thoby and his cousin is also an example for each cousin, or brother or sister who could be or are in the same situation. One must be able to share the same interest and love in one's own family. No one should be left aside, that's one of the deep messages of the movie.

Cousin Madenn is a very moving documentary film, speaking about mental disability but without any cliché and in a manner that conveys affection and emotion towards Madenn, the main character. There is also humour and some special effects that favor the story.

Furthermore, the director chose to focus on one of his own family member. This influences of course the way of filming but at the same time, we enter into a part of his life and he makes us share the special relationship he has with his cousin. This is maybe the reason why it is a great documentary film : a simple but true and authentic story!