Luxembourg director Eric Lamhène's new film, "Hors d'Haleine," explores the personal stories of four women living in a women's shelter, offering a poignant look at domestic violence and its impact.
A new film by Luxembourg director Eric Lamhène, "Hors d'Haleine" ("Breathing Underwater"), has been released in cinemas. The film focuses on domestic violence, portraying the lives of four women living in a women's shelter in Luxembourg.
As part of Orange Week, the film was shown on Wednesday evening at Ciné Scala in Diekirch, followed by a roundtable discussion with Lamhène. Screenings are also being organised for school groups to raise awareness among young people about domestic violence.
"Hors d'Haleine" follows the story of Emma, married to an architect, who escapes domestic abuse and finds refuge in a women's shelter. There, she forms supportive friendships with other women facing similar challenges. Each woman's story is based on real-life cases, offering an authentic portrayal of their struggles and resilience.
During his research for another film, Lamhène visited several women's shelters across Luxembourg, engaging in conversations with those affected by domestic violence. Contrary to his expectations, he found that life inside the shelters was not bleak or depressing but instead fostered a positive, familial environment. This inspired him to create a film that would shed light on the experiences of domestic violence victims living in Luxembourg shelters.
"Hors d'Haleine" will continue to be screened in cinemas over the coming weeks. More information about the film can be found here.
