The Lost Boys of Mercury

A documentary film by Clémence Davigo

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106 minutes / Documentary / 2023

Production : Alter Ego / Lyon Capitale TV
Avec la participation de Tënk et de Mediapart
Distribution et ventes internationales : Andana Films

with the screenwriting support of CNC-FAIA
with the development support of Procirep-Angoa, Alca-Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, Ciclic-Centre-Val de Loire Region and CNC-FAIA
with the production supports of Procirep-Angoa, CNC-FSA, Ciclic-Centre-Val de Loire Region and Alca-New Aquitaine Region

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As children in the 50s to the 70s, Dédé, Michel and Daniel were sent to the Belle Étoile correctional facility run by the abbot Garin and located in the Savoie region of France. There, they were beaten, humiliated, starved and broken. With the help of director Clémence Davigo, they finally reunite to break their silence. A moving chronicle in search of memory and justice.

Festival awards :

• Festival International du Film d’Education | France, 2023 – Meilleur long métrage documentaire
• Festival du cinéma social de Nice | France, 2023 – Grand Prix
• Festival Traces de Vies | France, 2023 – Prix Regard social
• Festival Psy de Lorquin | France, 2024 – La Clé d’Or, Premier Prix du Festival
• Faito Doc Festival | Italy, 2024 – Prix du meilleur long métrage, jury jeune

Festival selections:

• Visions du Réel, 2023 | International competition – Switzerland
• IDFA, 2023 | Best of Fests – The Netherlands
• Festival Dei Popoli, 2023 Italy
• Etats généraux du film documentaire, 2023 | Séances spéciales – France
• Festival International du Film de La Roche-sur-Yon, 2023 | Perspectives – France
• Ulaanbaatar International Film Festival, 2023 | Mongolia
• Rencontres du cinéma francophone en Beaujolais, 2023 | France
• Kasseler DokFest, 2023 | Germany
• Filmpodium, 2023 | Switzerland
• FIPADOC, 2024 | National Competition – France
• Ramdam Festival, 2024 | Belgium
• KODEX Documentary Film Festival, 2024 | Germany
• Journées Cinéma et Psychiatrie de Lyon, 2024 | France
• Festival Doc-Cévennes, 2024 | France
• Festival Psy Lorquin, 2024 | France
• Les rencontres du Réel, Bergerac, 2024 | France
• Festival Concertina, Dieulefit, 2024 | France
• Les rencontres du film documentaire de Mellionnec, 2024 | France
• Les Percéides, 2024 | Canada
• Les Rencontres Ad Hoc, 2024 | France
• Etats Généraux du film documentaire, 2025 | Stories of Emancipation – France
• Festival du Film Social, 2025 | France

Press:

• Press Kit: PDF
• Press Reviews: PDF