Charcot and recent French cinema.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• History of Medicine
• Medical Humanities

Background:

• Professor Jean-Martin Charcot is renowned for establishing the anatomo-clinical method in neurology.
• Historical media attention primarily focused on Charcot's research into hysteria.
• His public image was largely shaped by his work on hypnosis and public lessons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and compare the cinematic depictions of Professor Jean-Martin Charcot in two recent French films: 'Augustine' (2012) and 'Le Bal des Folles' (2021).
• To contrast these modern representations with contemporary accounts from the late 1800s and other biographical works.
• To analyze the influence of a female directorial perspective on the portrayal of Charcot and his patients.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of cinematic portrayals in 'Augustine' and 'Le Bal des Folles'.
• Comparison of filmic representations with historical newspaper articles from Charcot's era.
• Examination of biographical works to contextualize Charcot's image.
• Focus on the depiction of Charcot's public lessons, experimental work on hypnosis, and patient interactions.

Main Results:

• Both films highlight Charcot's public lessons and hypnosis experiments on hysteria patients.
• 'Le Bal des Folles' presents a superficial image of Charcot as cold and despotic.
• 'Augustine' offers a more central role for Charcot, exploring intimacy with a patient and displaying a more human side alongside his authoritative nature.
• Both films depict Charcot as a divine authority while acknowledging his scientific method.

Conclusions:

• Recent cinema, particularly films directed by women, provides a new, woman-centered perspective on life at La Salpêtrière under Charcot.
• These cinematic representations contribute to a evolving understanding of Jean-Martin Charcot, a key figure in modern neurology.
• The films underscore the duality of Charcot's image: the meticulous scientist and the complex, sometimes controversial, public figure.