It was at the initiative of Mickaël Christien, hematology nurse at the CHU Pontchaillou in Rennes, that the Traveling festival was invited to the hospital. A project that has aroused a lot of enthusiasm among patients in the hematology department, often in long stay due to blood diseases or lymphoma-type cancers.
A parenthesis that brings patients out of isolation
“Last year, we had already made DVDs of films shown during the festival available to patients and we had a good feedback. This time, thanks to the Isabelle Prize, the event was able to take on a larger scale! “, rejoices Mickaël Christien. The theme of the Traveling Festival, which is held every year in Rennes, was Scottish cinema with the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow as its emblem. A programming committee made up of nursing staff and patients has selected, along with the festival organizers, an anthology of short and feature films, such as “Whiskey galore!” “,” Small murders between friends “or” Just a kiss “. Patients have discovered these films during public screenings in a specially equipped room or quietly in their room.
We talk more about films … and less about illness
“I thought it was awesome. It changes ideas and it allows people to discover films that they don’t necessarily usually see ”, says Nathalie, 44, hospitalized for a lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system). Pierre, 54, suffering from myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow) and forced into isolation, adds: “I got to see ‘Just a kiss’ by Ken Loach. I really like this director and I had not seen this film. We are a little away from the world here, and thanks to this initiative we have the impression of participating in life outside. “ Hospitalized people had the opportunity to participate in writing workshops. They were also able to attend a film concert with a musician and meet Sandy Seneschal, director of short films. Patients have even learned about filmmaking with a cell phone or digital special effects. In total, about twenty adults and ten children took part in the various activities.
An initiative that won over both patients and… service staff. “It allows us to have other subjects of conversation with the patients than the disease. They are more open, give their impressions of the film… ”, says Nadine, a caregiver. “It is also interesting for the relatives of the sick who participate in the festival in town. Since they have seen the same films, they can discuss them together. Patients thus feel less isolated from the outside world ”, adds Cécilia, her colleague.
Mickael Christien will soon be leaving his post for new adventures. But, in the hematology department, members of the healthcare team want to continue and are already ready to take over …
