Inès Berdugo's journey with grief

Inès Berdugo began her journey with grief after a strange pimple appeared on her chin, which doctors could not explain. A specialist in therapeutic decoding suggested the pimple was linked to unresolved grief over her father’s death when she was 15.

Her background in film

Inès studied visual arts in Geneva and later pursued a master’s in text and literary creation in Brussels. These experiences helped her develop the skills needed to create her documentary series on grief, Du formol dans le cœur.

Facing death to heal

After her father’s death, Inès felt she needed to confront death directly to accept its reality. She visited professionals like coroners and thanatopractitioners, as well as a rabbi, to understand how to move forward with her grief.

Reconnecting with family

The documentary series became a way for Inès to discuss her father’s death with her family. Through these conversations, she learned that each family member had experienced grief differently, which helped her understand her own emotions better.

Personal vulnerability in the series

Inès chose to be vulnerable in the series, sharing her own experiences alongside those of her interviewees. This approach allowed for a more open and engaged exploration of grief, using her personal journey as a guide.

Addressing pain with humor

Inès is interested in exploring painful subjects with humor. Her previous works, such as Les golfes se creusent and Les yeux brouillés, deal with themes like loss and the end of relationships, highlighting how life is filled with small griefs.

Starting from the physical

Inès often begins her projects with a physical detail, like a pimple or a tear, to explore deeper emotional issues. This contrast between the small and the internal helps to create drama and lightness in her work.

The process of repair

Inès views her creative process as a way to repair pain through humor and poetry. By using imagery and shifting subjects toward the fantastic or humorous, she aims to help both herself and her audience process difficult emotions.