Inspired by Simone Weil's Lifetime Films The only way to stop the world from turning hell is to raise your voice
本日、女性として初めて欧州議会議長を務めたシモーヌ・ヴェユーの伝記映画『シモーヌ、フランスで最も愛された政治家』をお勧めする。 フランスにおける中絶の権利を求めるヴェイユーの闘いに焦点を当てたこの映画は、視聴者に社会規範に異議を唱え、不正に対して声を上げるよう促す可能性があると称賛されている。 作家はヴェイユーの物語が現代日本と関連していることを強調し、彼女の勇気と立ち直りから学ぶよう観客に勧めている。(English) The writer recommends the film "Simone, France's Best-Loved Politician," a biopic about Simone Veilleux, the first woman to serve as President of the European Parliament. The film, which highlights Veilleux's fight for abortion rights in France, is praised for its potential to inspire viewers to challenge societal norms and speak out against injustices. The writer emphasizes the relevance of Veilleux's story to contemporary Japan and encourages audiences to learn from her courage and resilience.
A film about Simone Veilleux's life inspires me. The only way to stop the world from going to hell is to 'speak up.'
1)
I have often talked about new films but have limited myself to introducing only Japanese movies. This time, however, I want to lift that restriction.
I cannot resist the urge to recommend this foreign film to as many people as possible. Simone, France's Best-Loved Politician, was the top-grossing domestic film of the year in France last year. The film will be released in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka in Japan on Friday, 28 July 2023, followed by nationwide releases.
2)
If you feel suffocated by the current social atmosphere of "don't talk about unnecessary things, do what the elites tell you to do without saying a word, " this film is for you. You feel old-fashioned with the idea that "men work, women stay home".
And you have not yet filled your schedule for this weekend. Let me assure you. You must watch it! Whether you are a man, a woman or otherwise.
3)
There is no reason to believe that society will immediately change just by you watching this film. But you will. Your mind is more vital than before you saw it. You feel less pressure on this society (or world, if you prefer) than before. Don't just wait for society to change; change yourself first. That's what this film has the power to do.
4)
Simone' refers to French politician Simone Veilleux (b. 1927, d. 2017), the first woman to serve as President of the European Parliament. Not to be confused with the legendary philosopher of the same name (but with a different spelling of her surname).
Politician Simone is best known for winning an abortion law in the predominantly male Catholic French National Assembly in 1974 when she was Minister of Health.
5)
One of the film's major highlights is a reenactment of her speech to parliament at that time, in which she spoke out about the tragedy of rape, the dangers of illegal abortion and the plight of young single mothers ('It is enough to ask a woman to be convinced that abortion is a tragedy').
The power of her words overcame overwhelming opposition and led to the legalisation of abortion. This law would later be known as the 'Veilleux Law'.
6)
Simone was anyway very popular with the public. The year before she died, she was voted second in ranking favourite celebrities, ahead of famous entertainers and athletes. She was buried in the Panthéon, a national mausoleum known for its narrow gate.
Reading the column by French journalist Junko Takasaki in the pamphlet of the film, I learnt that the three main reasons for his popularity were that he had achieved an abortion law, that he was an excellent narrator of the Holocaust experience, and that she was President of the European Parliament.
7)
Simone's suffering continued even after surviving the Holocaust. 'Survivors and witnesses were forced to remain silent,' she said in one line. 'There was an air of 'shut up and live'. Society tried to make the 'air' speak such a serious demand rather than from someone else's mouth.
But Simone continued to resist the air. Her overwhelming culture and courage made it impossible for anyone to stop her from speaking. She never shut up, and the French people went wild for her.
8)
This cannot be dismissed as an old foreign story. On the contrary, it is a lesson that we in Japan in 2023 must learn.
Speaking out is the only way to stop the world from becoming hell. I want to repeat what I have been saying since this spring: speak out with courage.
Even if you can get away with it in silence, you cannot escape the sin of leaving the younger generation with the resignation that it is useless to speak out.
9)
In particular, the contribution of film critic Sahoko Hata (who will be 92 next week!) is heartwarming. I felt a pang when I read the gift of film critic Hata Sahoko.
She said, "When you watch a foreign film, you tend to be misguided if you judge it only from an emotional point of view, leaving racial and religious issues out of it. I want my younger self, who indulged in Western artists without knowing much about the world of human nature and lyrics, to read this leaflet!
Inspired by Simone Weil's Lifetime Films, The only way to Stop the World from turning hell is to raise your voice
https://www.nikkan-gendai.com/articles/view/geino/326642
"Simone France's Most Beloved Politician" Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0RWvz1pNoQ
Gallery: Review of the movie Simone France's Most Beloved Politician ─ "Indomitable Fighting Spirit'' for Women's Liberation and "Inheritance of Memories'' of Surviving Auschwitz
https://www.gqjapan.jp/gallery/20230727-simone-le-voyage-du-siecle-movie-review
Simone Veil, albums de famille - Documentaire portrait - AMP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lenp9hUPXhk
Add info No1)
"Simone, France's most beloved politician"
//Summary - Level-C2//
"Simone, France's Best-Loved Politician" is a film about Simone Veilleux, a revered French politician known for her advocacy for women's rights and human rights and her instrumental role in legalizing abortion in France. The film, part of Olivier Daan's trilogy, was a hit, attracting 2.4 million viewers. It features a commendable performance by Elsa Zilberstein and period-accurate costumes designed by Karl Lagerfeld.
Introduction.
In Paris in 1974, Simone Veilleux (Elsa Zilberstein) spoke to the all-male, predominantly Catholic French National Assembly about the tragedy of rape, the dangers of illegal abortion and the situation of young single mothers: "No woman voluntarily has an abortion.
It is enough to ask a woman to be convinced that abortion is a tragedy, and overcome overwhelming opposition to win an abortion law, later called the Veilleux Law after her name; in 1979, she became the first woman elected President of the European Parliament and set up the Commission on Women's Rights in the face of fierce opposition from the primarily male Bureau.
She was the most respected politician in France, fighting not only for women but also for the human rights of immigrants, people with AIDS, prisoners and other vulnerable groups. Her indomitable will to stand by her convictions was nourished by the spectacular experience of being sent to the Auschwitz camp, the 'death march' and the death of her parents and brother, all of which she survived.
The final film in Olivier Daan's trilogy of films about women of the century, after Edith Piaf: Hymn to Love and Grace of Monaco: The Princess's Trumpet, was a long-running hit, spending ten consecutive weeks in the top 10 after debuting at number one in its first week of release, attracting 2.4 million viewers and predicted to be the biggest film of 2022.
When she passed away in 2017 at the age of 89, the whole country was inundated with news of Simone Veilleux's death, a state funeral was held, and she became the fifth woman to be enshrined in the Panthéon, the resting place of greats such as Madame Curie, but her popularity has not waned. She proved that her popularity has not diminished.
Not to be missed are the dignified performance of Elsa Zilberstein, who gained 8 kilos for the role, the magnificent artwork that recreates the period and the costumes by Simone Veilleux, who also loved fashion so much that Karl Lagerfeld designed them, especially for her in his Chanel atelier.
Add info No2)
Listen to the voice of your heart Simone Weil's life - 2017/Jul/20
https://www.frenchbloom.net/politics/4891/
// Summary -Level-C2//
Simone Veilleux, a French politician and former President of the European Parliament, passed away at 89. Known for her instrumental role in legalizing abortion in France, Veilleux faced significant opposition due to the country's Catholic roots. A Holocaust survivor, Veilleux's experiences shaped her career, including her work with prisoners and advocacy for women's rights. Despite societal pressures, she pursued her education and employment, becoming a judicial officer and Health Minister. Veilleux's dedication to her beliefs, even in challenging circumstances, significantly impacted French society and continues to inspire many.
1)
A small obituary was in the corner of this morning's international newspapers. Simone Veilleux, aged 89. French politician. She was also President of the European Parliament. Compared to the recent obituary of former German Chancellor Kohl, the news was relatively tame. In Japan, she was almost a 'nobody'.
In France, however, many people mention her name as the person they 'admire most'. If I tell you that I first saw her face and character in a French fashion magazine, you will understand how widely she is supported.
2)
But it is not how she dresses or her charisma as a career woman that makes Ms Veilleux unique, like Jackie K or IMF Managing Director Lagarde in the US. It is the weight of her work for which she is still applauded.
As Health Minister under President Giscard d'Estaing, she was instrumental in legalising abortion (the law, which came into force in 1974, is known as the 'Veilleux Law' after her name).
3)
In France, a Catholic country, abortion has been a crime since the time of Napoleon. Before the law, abortion was considered a sin and taboo. It was a real challenge to confront this historical 'decency' and push for legalisation.
The almost all-male parliament and the public were vociferous in their condemnation, and my family and I were harassed. Her private car was daubed with a crucifix, and she received numerous anonymous letters accusing her of being a murderer.
4)
Some of them slandered abortion, comparing it to the Holocaust. Madam, are you sending unborn children to the incinerators like the children in the concentration camps? Such phrases deeply offended Veilleux - she had seen the people incinerated there with her own eyes.
She was among the few 'Auschwitz survivors to be transferred from France and return alive.
5)
In March 1944, Simone Jacob, the youngest daughter of a Jewish family in Nice, was packed into a cattle truck with her mother and sister and forced to leave France.
She was only 16 years old and had just passed her baccalaureate exams a few days earlier. She was put on another train and never saw her father, an architect, or her brother again. They disappeared from the world without a trace.
6)
The train stopped three days later, and they were unloaded at the Auschwitz concentration camp. Simone, of "child" age, was to be selected and sent straight to the gas chambers.
But someone noticed this young girl with thick brunette braids and sparkling blue eyes. A Polish guard working in the camp whispered to Simone in broken French. I can't bear to see a young, pretty girl like you killed. I'll do something about it.
7)
Simone, who lied about her age, was sent with her mother and sister to work in a German company's factory outside the camp. She also worked in the kitchen, preparing meals for Nazi SS personnel.
She grazed and brought home food for her mother, who was weakened by typhus. But the disease took her mother's life, whom she had tried so hard to protect.
8)
A few months after her death, Simone was released, and an Allied soldier asked her how old she was. How old do I look? When asked in reverse, the answer came back hesitantly: 'Forty-something?' 'Forty? Shaved and pushed to her physical and mental limits, she appeared to the soldiers to be a woman of middle age or older - she was not even 20.
9)
On her return to France, Simone resumed her interrupted studies. She went to the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris, where she fell in love with Antoine Veilleux, a fellow student, and they married in 1946. The following year she became a mother. But she never stopped studying. (Her mother gave up a research career when she married, at her husband's insistence).
10)
Despite hearing her husband's voice behind her back telling her to be a wife and mother and keep house, she did not give up, and in 1956, she passed the most difficult exams and became a judicial officer. In the same year, she gave birth to her third son.
11)
Her first job as a judicial officer was teaching prisoners. Here she was able to use the painful experiences she had had in the past as a prisoner. She could think about prisoners from the perspective of someone who knew what it was like to live without freedom.
As a result, she built on her work with prisoners, such as improving the treatment of women prisoners. In particular, during the Algerian War of Independence, she campaigned for the protection and equal treatment of abused Algerian women prisoners.
12)
I listen to my conscience, not public opinion, and do my best for what I believe should be done. This attitude, which Simone carried with her throughout her life, was shaped by her work as a judicial officer.
13)
Only by chance did she enter the world of politics, where she continued to build a steady but positive work programme, such as obtaining custody for women and introducing legislation to care for illegitimate children and their mothers.
Giscard d'Estaing, who had come to her husband, a prominent businessman, to encourage him to enter politics, fell in love with Simone and suddenly chose her for the post of Minister of Health.
14)
Becoming Health Minister meant confronting French society as the standard-bearer for Giscard d'Estaing's campaign to legalise abortion. There was opposition within the ruling party, not to mention the cabinet.
This role will become more complex, but she is taking it on. French women with unwanted pregnancies have no choice but to pay exorbitant sums of money to be operated on in the dark or risk putting themselves in the hands of medical insiders if they do not have the contacts and financial means to go to a hospital outside the country.
15)
How many women have died? Those who cannot choose between the two 'methods' have to live with it all alone. Simone followed her conscience.
16)
There was an intense debate in parliament before the vote on whether to pass the law. Standing on the rostrum, where opponents gathered outside the Parliament building, and MPs sat in opposition.
At the same time, their mistresses 'travelled' abroad, she said: 'We cannot turn a blind eye to the 300,000 clandestine abortions that are carried out every year, hurting the bodies of women in this country and inflicting unhealed emotional wounds.
17)
We cannot look the other way. No woman chooses abortion without suffering. People need to listen to women's voices. There will always be bitterness. The law was passed with the support of his political opponents, the left-wing opposition.
18)
It was probably the voice of the heart that led her from French politics to the European Parliament. Having found herself in the middle of a war, Veilleux has stressed as a speaker how precious peace is and that it cannot come about without the efforts of both sides of a country.
As a Holocaust survivor, he also continued to speak out, questioning the French government's failure to take responsibility for its collaboration with the Nazis and for allowing the transfer of Jewish French citizens.
19)
In later years, when asked what gave him the strength to continue working with conviction in sometimes challenging circumstances, Veilleux attributed it to his late mother.
She was always by my side. She continued to inspire her daughters with her positive attitude and strong will to live until her last breath. She was a kind mother with a Greta Garbo look.
20)
Long after the implementation of the Veilleux Law, Simone was thanked by a stranger while shopping. This law was also a significant step forward for men. Her faith and integrity, which were not lost in the "storm", have significantly changed France's people.
Click here to hear Simone Veilleux's voice and see her in action.