« Corée du sud, quand les ainés mettent fin à leurs jours » 24’30
Veronique Mauduy et Anne-Charlotte Gourraud
Montage : Philippe Couton
@WA productions. 2015
Typo normale noire : indications
Typo italique noir : indication sur la nature de la voix
Typo normale vert : indications
Typo italique vert : indications sur la nature de la voix
En gras et noir : voice over commentaires
En gras en vert : voice over traductions
Sous ligné rouge et en gras : sous-titre
TC : 00 :00
SENIORS EN COEUR
If you want to have beautiful lips, say sweet things. If you want to have beautiful eyes, see the good in people.
TC 00 :10
LEE JI HYAN (Femme, 45 ans)
Look at her – that's Audrey Hepburn. Isn't she beautiful ? She left this world at 64.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 00 :19
It is hoped that Audrey Hepburn's example shows the value of growing old.
This therapy is aimed at dissuading senior citizens from committing suicide.
Every year, more than 1200 come and voice their suffering.
TC : 00:40
LEE JI HYAN (Femme, 45 ans)
In Korean society, old people have a very difficult life – socially, psychologically and financially. While death itself is an end, some would rather choose to end life early. The objective of these sessions is to show them that life is worth living till the end.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 01 :00
Literally, 'the Land of the Morning Calm', Korea holds a record that has earned it the nickname 'Republic of Suicide'.
Every day, nearly 50 Koreans end their own lives – twice as many as it France.
Senior citizens account for the majority.
This generation, whose toil and labour secured Korea's position as 12th most powerful nation in the world, is now being cast aside. They have been pushed to the margins in this dysfunctional society caught between capitalism and confucianism.
In a neighbourhood in North Seoul, pastor Choi has just received a special delivery.
TC : 01 :47
PASTEUR CHOI SEONG-WON (Homme, 75 ans)
As much as you can give me, I'll take!
TC : 01 :49
LIVREUR (Homme, 55 ans)
Ok I'll give you 3 bags
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 01 :51
Salt and rice. Sacred gifts for this former entrepreneur who, at 75, has decided to dedicae his life to others. His goal : feed the needy in society.
TC : 01 :02
ITW PASTEUR CHOI SEONG-WON (Homme, 75 ans)
When I was little, I lived in a small village and we had nothing to eat. When I grew up, I decided to come and live in Seoul. On my arrival at the station, I was shocked by the number of poor people in the street. I know what it's like to be hungry, that's why I've decided to come to their aid.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 02 :25
Every Saturday, it's the same ritual.
TC : 02 :29
FEMME DU PASTEUR CHOI SEONG-WON, (Femme, 70 ans)
Want to taste ?
COMENTAIRE
TC : 02 :32
With the help of his wife and a few volunteers, he prepares around a hundred meals that they will distribute for free.
TC : 02 :41
PASTEUR CHOI SEONG-WON, (Homme, 75 ans)
It takes a long time to prepare it all. We do everything ourselves as a family because we don't have the numbers.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 02 :49
The pastor organises the distribution by the central station of Seoul. He always begins with a prayer.
TC : 02 :59
PASTEUR CHOI SEONG-WON, (Homme, 75 ans)
Thanks be to the Lord our father. Help us to not have suicidal thoughts, to be accepted by society, and to return to our families.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 03 :14
Today, half of Korea's senior citizens lives in poverty.
They were the generation who dedicated their lives to rebuilding the country after the Korean war ended in 1953.
TC : 03 :31
SDF DOUDOUNE NOIRE, (Homme, 70 ans)
I don't have any money left. I get by with what I can find in the street. For all that I've earned in my life, the state has given me nothing back.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 03 :41
State pensions were not universally introducted until 1988, too late for this generation, who didn't have time to contribute, or not enough.
TC : 03 :52
PASTEUR CHOI SEONG-WO, (Homme, 75 ans)
« Have seconds if you want ! »
COMMENTAIRE
TC :03 :55
They can't even fall back on family solidarity, which has disintegrated in a society where individualism is encouraged above all else.
TC : 04 :05
PASTEUR CHOI SEONG-WON, (Homme, 75 ans)
Confucianism is in the past, it's ancient history. Before, families lived together in one home. Three generations under the same roof, helping each other.
Eat slowly, eat slowly.
Now young couples want to live alone. They usually have just one child.
COMMENTAIRE
TC 04 :31
On the doorstop of the financial district, Dongh Jong, formerly the haunt of prostitutes, has become a ghetto for the city's elderly
Pastor Choi goes out looking for the most isolated senior citizens, who are reluctant to ask for help.
TC : 04 :49
PASTEUR CHOI SEONG-WON, (Homme, 75 ans)
Here ! I give out free meals at Seoul station every Saturday
TC : 04 :55
PASTEUR CHOI SEONG-WON, (Homme, 75 ans)
Where do you live ?
TC : 04 :56
KIM SUN JA, (Femme, 76 ans)
Here, on the second floor.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 04 :59
76-year-old Sun Ja has been living her for 5 years. The former shopkeeper has no pension whatsover. She survives on 300 euros of state benefits.
TC : 05 :10
KIM SUN JA, (Femme, 76 ans)
I live hidden away here. Since I have no money, I don't want to contact my children. I would really rather not.
I don't want to be a burden on them. If I contact them, I won't get benefits anymore. That's why I'm hiding away.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 05 :33
South Korean law forces her to live a life in isolation from her family. Those who are helped financially by their children see their state benefits reduced.
TC : 05 :44
KIM SUN JA, (Femme, 76 ans)
This is my home.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 05 :47
A life's-worth of worldly possessions are crammed into 7m2. Almost the entirety of her benefits money is spent on rent.
TC : 05 :56
KIM SUN JA, (Femme, 76 ans)
I feel lonely, so completely alone. Often I cry when watching the TV. I feel that if I'm in this situtation, it's because I've sinned a lot and I am being punished.
COMMENTAIRE
TC 06 :12
Hundreds like Sun Ja suffer these inhumane conditions.
(Comme Sun Ja, ils sont des centaines à survivre dans ces clapiers insalubres. )
74-year old Won Ho is crippled from his years as a construction worker.
TC : 06 :25
KIM WON HO, (Homme 74 ans)
I'm not happy, not at all.
Everything is difficult, everything. Even eating is a challenge.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 06 :39
Won Ho has Parkinon's Disease, which makes it impossible to him to leave the house. His neighbour keeps an eye on him.
TC : 06 :52
VOISIN HOMME, (Homme, 72 ans)
He's like my brother, I love him more than my own brother.
You know i've lived here 8 years. With what little money the state gives us, we can bearly survive !
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 07 :08
Poverty is the number one cause of suicide among senior citizens. To prevent such drastic actions, authorities have introduced watchmen across the country.
In District 104, homes are still heated by coal. Young people left the area long ago.
Byeong Yeol and his colleagues take it in shifs to keep a constant watch over 60 seniors suffering from serious psychological distress.
TC : 07 :42
LEE BYEONG YEOL (Homme, 50 ans)
«Hello… grand dad»
«How are you today? »
TC 07 :46
JUNG SUN JO (Homme, 91 ans)
«My leg hurts»
COMMENTAIRE :
TC : 07 :48
At 91, Sun Jo lives alone, and never leaves the converted garage which is his room.
TC : 07 :54
LEE BYEONG YEOL (Homme, 50 ans)
« What have you eaten today ?»
TC : 07 :57
JUNG SUN JO (Homme, 91 ans)
« I ate some rice »
TC : 08 :00
HOMME VOLONTAIRE (Homme, 55 ans)
«Take off the lid»
TC : 08 :04
LEE BYEONG YEOL (Homme, 50 ans)
«But there's no rice !»
TC : 08 :06
LEE BYEONG YEOL (Homme, 50 ans)
« Last time we left you some meals in your fridge, why didn't you eat them?
TC : 08 :11
JUNG SUN JO, (Homme, 91 ans)
« I wasn't able to. I threw them away, I don't have any appetite anymore.»
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 08 :15
Tired of eating, Sun Jo has lost his taste for life. In the last few weeks, Byeong Yeol has seen his condition deterioate. He knows the cause of his troubles.
TC : 08 :25
LEE BYEONG YEOL, (Homme, 50 ans)
« Has your son been to see you recently? »
TC : 08 :28
JUNG SUN, (Homme, 91 ans)
No he hasn't. My son and I no longer have any contact. That's how it is.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 08 :34
His entrepreneur son was going to pay for a retirement home. But some financial setbacks have meant Sun Jo has to stay at home.
TC : 08 :45
JUNG SUN JO, (Homme, 91 ans)
My son was doing well before, but he went bankrupt. He had to sell everything, everything he owned. His priorities are his childrens' education and his rent. For him that's what's important.
His attitude causes me a lot of pain.
TC : 09 :08
LEE BYEONG YEOL, (Homme, 50 ans)
We try to involve ourselves as though they were our own parents. We try to win their confidence and make them feel comfortable talking to us. Otherwise, seniors rarely talk about their emotions.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 09 :22
The efforts of Byeong Yeol and his colleagues seem to make an impact. For a year now, not even one senior has taken their life in District 104. But the situation is fragile. Every day, Byeong fears the worst.
TC : 09:35
LEE BYEONG YEOL (Homme, 50 ans)
I'm worried about his condition; he's very old. Sometimes when doing the rounds, you get worried you'll get a bad surprise. It hasn't happened to us yet, but I know it will one day.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 09 :54
When life becomes unbearable, the River Han, in the heart of Seoul, is where some decide to end it.
At the rescue services HQ, Captain Seo's men have an impossible task : Save the poor souls who jump from the bridges.
This same afternoon, they retrieved the body of an old man.
TC : 10 :17
CAPITAINE RESCUE SEO HYUNG-GUN, (Homme, 48 ans)
Over there is the electricity power station, some fisherman informed us that they found a body that had just come to the surface.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 10 :28
Since the high-profile suicide of a Korean magnate from the Mapo bridge, jumping into the river has become a trend.
To tackle this spate of tragedies, some bridges are now equipped with surprising anti-suicide measures. Such as photos of smiling, happy families, and reassuring messages.
SYNTHE : « When you feel sad »(first message), «Look at the blue sky»(2nd message)
The rescue teams, for their part, rely on emergency calls and CCTV.
Captain Seo and his men together cover the 49 cameras on shifts.
TC : 11 :07
ITW CAPITAINE RESCUE SEO HYUNG-GUN, (Homme, 48 ans)
« When someone stays close to the barrier for too longer, and tries to step over it, sensors detect them. This brings up an pop-up alert letting us know. »
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 11 :24
In a case that occured one night in December, a man, after making a distress call, hung up and threw himself headfirst off the edge.
At the rescue HQ, an alarm has been set off
TC : 11 :46
CAPITAINE RESCUE SEO HYUNG-GUN, (Homme, 48 ans)
« Someone found a handbag and a mobile phone on the Mapo Bridge. We were alerted and arrived on the scene.»
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 11 :54
A woman is suspected of jumping from the bridge.
TC : 12 :00
RADIO (Homme)
Do we know where she jumped from ?
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 12 :04
It's a 15m drop and her neck could be broken.
Now, it's a race against the clock to find her.
TC 12 :09
SECOURISTE HOMME
«Did you see anyone? »
TC 12 :11
PASSANT SUR LE PONT
I didn't see anything. When I got here there was no-one. Just a handbag.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 12 :17
On the bridge, no-one saw the jumper. The order is given to dive.
The divers spend 20 mins scouring the river bed. The more time passes, the smaller the chance that she'll be found alive.
TC : 12 :34
CAPITAINE RESCUE SEO HYUNG-GUN (Homme, 48 ans)
We can't find her, we have to keep searching, she might have been carried further because the current is strong.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 12 :45
When the rescue team have given up hope of finding anything more than a dead body, another team fishes someone out of the water two bridges downriver.
TC : 12 :50
SECOURISTE HOMME
«Is she conscious? »
TC : 12 :53
SECOURISTE
« Yes we saved her !»
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 12 :55
A women is found alive.
She has been taken onboard this boat.
TC : 13 :03
FEMME 40 ans
Mummy, mummy.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 13 :06
She's a 40-year-old mother.
TC : 13 :10
CAPITAINE RESCUE SEO HYUNG-GUN (Homme, 48 ans)
Was it you that jumped from the bridge Madam ?
TC : 13 :13
FEMME 40 ans
Please, I'm cold.
TC : 13 :16
FEMME 40 ans
Where are my son and my husband ?
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 13 :19
It takes a few minutes of confusion before rescue team appreciate the miracle.
Once in the waters of the river Han, people survive on average for 4 minutes.
This woman stayed alive for several kilometres.
TC : 13 :34
SEOURISTE FEMME
Don't move, I'm going to stabilise you.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 13 :37
She will be taken to the hospital where she will receive psychiatric care.
TC : 13 :44
CAPITAINE RESCUE SEO HYUNG-GUN (Homme, 48 ans)
Suicide is a massive social problem. It doesn't just affect those who are close to the victim. It's a full-blown epidemic that is spreading through our society.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 13 :58
Although the number of suicide attempts from Seoul's bridges has reduced from 30 a week to 5 a week, in the rest of the country, the rate is increasing.
For pastor Choi, it's the countryside where the situation is critical.
TC : 14 :13
PASTEUR CHOI SEONG-WON (Homme, 75 ans)
« It this the way back ? C’est par ici qu’il faut rentrer ? »
TC : 14 :15
PASSAGER VOITURE (Homme)
Yes, that way. Oui c’est par là.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 14 :17
This morning, he's doing the rounds in the province of Gwando. Here, the suicide rate is the highest in the country, at 500 a year. The figure which falls short of the reality.
TC : 14 :28
PASTEUR CHOI SEONG-WON (Homme, 75 ans)
«Hello ! »
«How long have you lived here? »
TC : 14 :34
PARK OK DAN (Femme, 75 ans)
«It 's been 60 years »
TC : 14 :35
PASTEUR CHOI SEONG-WON (Homme, 75 ans)
« 60 years?! »
TC : 14 :38
« I came here when I was 11».
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 14 :40
Ok Dan lives alone on her small farm. exploitation agricole.
TC : 14 :44
PARK OK DAN (Femme, 75 ans)
I'm going to add a bit of water so it's less stodgy.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 14 :48
He husband has passed away, and her 5 children have moved to the city.
TC : 14 :51
PARK OK DAN (Femme, 75 ans)
I'm going to add some wood as well.
TC : 14 :56
PARK OK DAN (Femme, 75 ans)
« Here there's hardly anyone to help us work the fields and grow vegetables. It's tough, because I'm old and I often get ill. Life in the countryside is difficult, but we manage. It's our life.
What do you want us to do ? Life goes on !
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 15 :18
Fpr her sister-in-law, who suffered from Alzheimers, life came to an abrupt end. She committed suicide one and a half years ago.
TC : 15 :31
PARK OK DAN (Femme, 75 ans)
She would always get lost, we'd spend whole days looking for her all over.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 15 :39
In Korea, Alzheimers, depression and Parkinsons are illnesses that are considered weaknesses and that are concealed by sufferers to avoid stigmatisation.
TC : 15 :48
PARK OK DAN (Femme, 75 ans)
Suddenly, one day, she bought new clothes and, after eating, she went out and poisoned herself. She did it by drinking pesticides. That's how she left us.
What''s more, you know, 3 or 4 people have poisoned themselves with pesticides, all of them men.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 16 :17
A radical and violent way to die, the swallowing of toxic substances is all too common in the countryside.
In the village, a man named Mr. Moon also resorted to pesticides to end his life after a family dispute. Sho Jin was his best friend.
TC : 16 :37
SHO JIN (Homme, 78 ans)
All of that is his fields. You see, that land over there.
It angers me, he was really an idiot to have ended his life because of an argument with his daughter. Here, suicide is a topic you don't talk about, people are in denial. It's a taboo.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 17 :06
According to the widow of Mr. Moon, her husband's death was a simple accident.
TC : 17 :12
MOON DUCK SOON (Femme, 81 ans)
It was snowing that day, my husband went out to get wood for the fire. He slipped, hit his head and died very quickly.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 17 :26
In the countryside, suicide brings dishonour on the victim's family.
To put a stop to the epidemic, the authorities have decided to take on the pesticide problem.
TC : 17 :40
CHOI YANG TAE, (Homme 75 ans)
You see this product, a tiny dose kills anything. Even humans.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 17 :46
Since 2010, living rooms like this one in the house of Choi Yang Tae, are equipped with a special cabinet where pesticides are kept under lock and key. The idea is to disincentivise their abuse.
TC : 17 :55
CHOI YANG TAE (Homme, 75 ans)
It appears the time in it takes to get the keys, suicidal thoughts disappears. Because the desire to commit suicide is something impulsive. That's why we have locks.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 18 :12
One slight problem is that the key is located next to the cabinet, well within reach.
It seems an almost laughable measure. The suicide rate in the country is twice as high as in city.
In 2014, South Korea invested 2.5 million euros in suicide prevention. Not much, when compared to the 112 million spent by Japan, the second most suicide-prone country.
Given the measure of success that the new precautions have had, thousands are now turning to a new form of meditation.
Giving the relative effectiveness of the measures put in place, thousands in the country are now turning to new forms of meditation.
In the Buddhist temples of Neungin Son Wan, death is considered a natural part of life. Since 2002, monk Kim Ki Ho has been doing enactions of funeral rites.
Face à l’efficacité relative des mesures mise en place, ils sont des milliers, dans tout le pays à se tourner vers des méditations d’un genre nouveau.
Au temple bouddhiste Neungin Son Wan, la mort fait partie du processus naturel de la vie. Depuis 2002, Maitre Kim Ki Ho propose des simulacres mortuaires.
TC : 19 :04
Kim KI HO, (Homme, 45 ans)
« Il fait beau aujourd’hui. C’est une belle journée pour mourir. »
The weather's good today. A beautiful day to die.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 19 :13
Un voyage vers la mort, qui commence par un acte de rédemption.
The journey to death begins with an act of redemption.
TC : 19 :21
VIEUX PARTICIPANT (Homme, 65 ans)
For the first 50 years of my life I only looked forward. I worked extremely hard for status and recognition. Under this illusion, I only though of myself and not of others.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 19 :48
Originally aimed at the sick and the elderly, the experience is now attracting youngsters under workplace pressure and have seen their social position threatened.
TC : 20 :00
Kim KI HO (Homme 45 ans)
Now it's time to say goodbye di those who you have loved and those you have hurt.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 20 :10
37-year Kyeong-In,
A 37 ans, KYEONG-IN, whose life was consumed by work, missed her children growing up.
She addresses her final wishes to them.
TC : 20 :22
SONG KYEONG-IN, (Femme, 37 ans)
My children, I had you too early, I was too immature. Ouyol, when I say your name it makes me cry. Mum got angry a lot, she shouted a lot and...I hit you a lot.
TC : 20 :45
SONG KYEONG-IN (Femme, 37 ans)
For me coming here was an urgent need, to find some answers to my problems. Normally I would have to open my shop today, but I closed it because it was so important that I came here.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 21 :06
Led by the angel of death, the participants, dressed in mortuary costumes, march towards their final resting place.
In this room, 7 coffins await them.
TC : 21 :33
Kim KI HO (Homme, 45 ans)
Now, stand up and get into your coffins.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 21 :42
Accepting death in order to start a new life is the objective of this burial simulation.
TC : 22 :00
Kim KI HO (Homme 45 ans)
Your breathing stops... You're dead.
TC : 22 :12
Kim KI HO (Homme, 45 ans)
For them, existence no longer has any meaning because their lives have become to materialist. They lose consciousness of their identity and their value. This experience of death lets them reconnect with their soul.
TC : 22 :34
Kim Ki Ho (Homme, 45 ans)
What are you going to do in your new life ? What kind of life do you really wish for ?
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 22 :47
The burial ceremony lasts roughly 20 minutes.
Freed of their suffering, it is hoped that the participants can start afresh.
TC : 22 :57
SONG KYEONG-IN, (Femme 37 ans)
« I feel light, like a weight has lifted. It's like I'm reborn, a new person, someone stronger. From now on, I'm going to try do everything for my children, the way I never did before.
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 23 :26
Taking care of one's children may be the best guarantee of the future of this ageing population. Suicide is already the main cause of death among 15-24 year olds.
This evening, on Mapo bridge, this seemingly relaxed young man, has reached for the emergency phone to confess his suicidal thoughts.
On the other end of the line, a volunteer from Lifeline, an organisation that helps those in desperate situtations.
TC : 24 :04
FEMME VOLONTAIRE (55 ans)
« I'm listening»
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 24 :05
They receive 60 calls a day.
TC : 24 :08
FEMME AU BOUT DU FIL (40 ans)
«It's cold outside, it's raining, and my heart is cold too»
COMMENTAIRE
TC : 24 :17
On this occasion, the volunteer finds the right words of restore the young woman's hope. The young man on the bridge is also saved.
The Korean authorities hope to reduce the suicide rate by half before 2040. A goal the country is unlikely to achieve, without taking a broader look at community life as a whole.
/ But a full re-assessment of community life may be necessary if this goal is to be achieved.