My American Uncle

Directed by Alain Resnais

With Gérard Depardieu, Nicole Garcia, Roger Pierre, Nelly Borgeaud and Pierre Arditi

Professor Henri Laborit uses three people's stories to discuss behaviourist theories of survival, combat, rewards and punishment, and anxiety: René is a technical manager at a textile factory and must face the anxiety caused by corporate downsizing; Janine is a self-educated actress/stylist who learns that the wife of her lover is dying and must decide to let them reunite; and Jean is a controversial career-climbing writer/politician at a crossroads in life.