150 MILLIGRAMS/ LA FILLE DE BREST

France, 2016, 128 minutes, Colour.
Sidse Babett Knudsen, Benoit Magimel.
Directed by Emmanuelle Bercourt.

The tone of the French title is to focus on the city of Brest, the hospital there, an earnest doctor who becomes aware of the dangerous side effects of a drug that has been widely prescribed, especially for weight loss.

The English title focuses on the dangerous drug and the prescriptions and dosage.

Danish actress Sidse Babett Knudsen is very earnest as the doctor, conscientious about her work, devoted wife and mother, interviewing victims of the drugs, encouraging research, clashing with experts, not listened to by panels, encouraged to keep going even when she feels desperate and wants to give up.

The screenplay is based on a true story, a cautionary French tale but which has applications all over the world in the role of drug approvals, government agencies, the influence of the drug manufacturing companies.

1. Based on a true story? A French story? International repercussions?

2. The action taking place from 2009 to 2011, yet based on medical activity and research prior to that?

3. The French title, the focus on Irene? Her role as a doctor, coming from Scandinavia, yet settling in Brest and her work there? The English title and the focus on drugs, the use and recommendations by doctors, repercussions on side effects? Pharmacists and drug companies?

4. The setting in Brest, the picture of the town, seasons, homes, hospitals, action in hospitals, doctors, nurses, research and experts?

5. The focus on Irene, age, experience, marriage and family? The committed doctor? In a French provincial town? The film developing her awareness of the side-effects consequences of the drug? Specifying it? Its being prescribed for different reasons – especially for weight loss?

6. The film offering a great deal of detail of Irene, at work, treating patients, the interviews with patients and getting their opinions? Working with Antoine? Their differing in opinions? The clashes? The support from different doctors, those doing research?

7. Her preparation for her submissions? The panel, unsympathetic? The influence of the drug companies? The demand for rigorous research and her information being rejected? The change of moods, her husband and his support, the different doctors and nurses?

8. The buildup of hostility, suspicions, the media, people badmouthing her? The frustration? The visits to Antoine?

9. The paper, the decision to publish, going to the publisher, persuading him, his belief in her? The publication of the book, its being read? The court action against the subtitle? Irene tempted to give in, persuaded not to? Her anger that the courts were more interested in a subtitle rather than the issues?

10. The pressure on her over the months, in her work, in her life, in her emotions? For continuing to get the evidence, the discussions with the experts?

11. The issue finally being recognised? The consequences for the drug companies?

12. Antoine and his congratulations, his going to Canada and working there?

13. Irene and her achievement?