At the beginning of October, we had the pleasure of welcoming a wonderful group of guests to TheMerode for an evening dedicated to cinema, emotion and connection, centred around the film Qui brille au combat, with lead actress Sarah Pachoud and producer Antoine Playoust in attendance.
We are delighted to share interviews with Hortense de Castries, co-founder of GENeHOPE, and producer Antoine Playoust. Filmed on the sidelines of the event, both interviews look back on the origins of GENeHOPE and the making of the film:
As Hortense puts it, “Putting a name to a child’s illness can change a life.” Scientific research also offers the possibility of “seeing a little more blue sky ahead.” Antoine Playoust, meanwhile, highlights how this film can become a “tool” to “change the way we look at all these mothers, fathers, sisters… without judgement.”
The discussions following the screening brought an essential reality into focus: “A diagnosis changes a family’s life, even if it doesn’t always immediately change their day-to-day reality.” Yet it marks the beginning of a journey towards a better understanding of the disease, appropriate care and, sometimes, the hope of new treatments. Because behind every diagnosis are parents, children, brothers and sisters who continue to live, love and move forward, while learning to navigate a new reality. This is at the very heart of GENeHOPE’s mission: supporting genetic research to open up new perspectives for children and families affected by genetic conditions.
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us and contributed, through their presence and the conversations shared throughout the evening, to making this such a meaningful and inspiring occasion. We would also like to thank TheMerode for its warm welcome and for this wonderful video capturing the highlights of the evening.
