The Son”: Sensitivity, despair, and parenthood.
This week, I want to share with you a work of the seventh art, “The Son,” a film directed by Florian Zeller that was released in 2022.
The poignant and emotional tale of a sensitive boy going through a difficult phase in his life. In a bid to help him rediscover happiness, his mother consents to him living with his father.
In connection with this work, I would like to present three new points related to family and systemic constellations. And don’t worry, I’ll try to avoid spoilers!
I. Sensitivity and despair
In the movie, Nicolas is a 17-year-old teenager who loses interest in life. Therefore, I would like to address the theme of despair, the emptiness that can lead us to change our perception of life. When suffering is invisible, inexplicable, and our surroundings cannot understand or support us.
In the movie, it seems that Nicolas is a sensitive boy overwhelmed by a sensation he can’t quite understand himself. Hypersensitivity can sometimes make us feel out of sync, making it difficult to navigate a world where everything seems painful and where we feel misunderstood.
Methods such as EMDR, family and systemic constellations, hypnosis, or Gestalt therapy (among others), combined with good long-term support, can help us regain a zest for life.
This support enables us to access subtle connections, deep-seated beliefs, our own life vision, or inherited patterns that are challenging to grasp through purely analytical or mental means.
These are reliable tools that allow us to progress at our own pace, taking into account the sensitivity and individuality of each person. Feel free to explore to find a method that suits you based on the phase you are going through.
In the case of depression, it usually requires treatment by healthcare professionals. However, it is entirely possible to complement this treatment with one of these techniques. So, do not hesitate to discuss it with your therapist and doctor.
II. Challenges of Parenthood
I love discussing systemic constellations, but here is a topic that mainly relates to family constellations !
Just like in the movie “The Son,” many parents want the best for their children but may feel helpless when faced with their inexplicable behavior.
Family constellations do not aim to change the other person. They provide an opportunity to gain a new perspective, a broader view. They also help us understand our place in the midst of a situation. This method can assist us in managing guilt and refocusing amidst chaos by determining what is within our control and what is not.
III. Father-Son Relationships
The grandfather appears in one of the scenes. It is then three generations of men from the same family that we encounter throughout the film.
A father caught between two generations may face certain dilemmas. Seeing himself through his son’s eyes can bring back childhood memories and evoke emotions and introspection. Some may seek to break away from the paternal model they knew, while others may feel unable to compete with their own father.
Family constellations can provide support in addressing these questions. Additionally, it is always a pleasure to support men, who may sometimes be more hesitant to engage in therapeutic support.
