Laetitia Masson, director of "Ulysse": "It is unimaginable that a society cannot, today, encompass all of its members"

French filmmaker Laetitia Masson, known for her social dramas, presents "Ulysse," her most personal film to date. The movie, which recently closed the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, chronicles an intimate odyssey: a mother's determined effort to help her son, who has a disability, achieve his dream of working in the restaurant industry.

"Ulysse" is portrayed as a film of struggle, confronting prejudice and a societal system that Masson argues prefers to exclude individuals deemed "unsuitable" rather than develop inclusive models. Despite the serious themes, the film incorporates humor and is described as profoundly moving and socially committed in its denunciation of these systemic issues.

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It is unimaginable that a society cannot, today, encompass all of its members.

Masson, who discovered her passion for filmmaking in 1995 with "En avoir (ou pas)," a story about an unemployed factory worker, has often explored marginalized lives. She notes that if the title hadn't already been taken, she might have called "Ulysse" "Great Expectations," reflecting the story's themes of hope and aspiration. The role of the adult Ulysse is played by her own son, Alphonse Roberts, making the narrative deeply personal.

Masson advocates for a society that embraces all its members, stating, "It is unimaginable that a society cannot, today, encompass all of its members." The film challenges viewers to consider the barriers faced by people with disabilities and the societal responsibility to create pathways for their integration and success.

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If the title had not already been taken, I could have called it Great Expectations.