Les écoutants

Little Axel’s parents filmed the story of their son’s illness. After four years moving through hospitals, he was diagnosed with Lyme disease. Axel’s life unfolds between an invisible epidemic and the imaginary pathology which is the disease. From other specialists and patients, the boy’s parents learn some information about the diagnosis which is not publicly known, which compels them to continue the double fight: against bacteria and against the medical system.

A calm, empathetic documentary film about hikikomori—mostly young, male social recluses in Japan—and their way back into society through the help of institutions. The film very unobtrusively tries to find out about its protagonists' motives for withdrawing from society and gives an interesting and insightful glimpse into this cultural phenomenon.