Watch An Encounter with Simone Weil

An Encounter with Simone Weil is a 2010 documentary film directed by Julia Haslett. The film follows Haslett's personal journey as she explores the life and works of philosopher, activist, and mystic Simone Weil. Haslett's interest in Weil stems from her own personal struggle with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

The film opens with Haslett introducing her own struggles with mental health and how Weil's philosophy and writing has helped her cope with these issues. We are then introduced to Simone Weil through archival footage, interviews with scholars, and readings of Weil's own writing. Weil was a French philosopher, political activist, and mystic who lived from 1909-1943. Her writings explore themes of social justice, human rights, and spirituality.

Throughout the film, Haslett traces Weil's life story, from her privileged upbringing to her activism in the Spanish Civil War and her decision to starve herself to death during World War II. We see interviews with scholars who analyze Weil's philosophy and its relevance in today's world. We also hear from people who have been influenced by Weil's writings, including a group of college students who are reading Weil's work in a seminar.

The film is beautifully shot, with stunning images of the French countryside where Weil spent much of her childhood. Haslett also uses animated graphics to help illustrate some of Weil's more metaphysical ideas. The film is structured around a series of encounters - encounters with Weil's writing, encounters with scholars who study her work, and ultimately an encounter with Weil herself.

One of the strengths of the film is the way it draws connections between Weil's life and work and contemporary issues. Weil's work on social justice, for example, is shown to have relevance for current debates about immigration, labor rights, and income inequality. We see how Weil's critique of modern society as dehumanizing and oppressive is still relevant today.

Another strength of the film is the way it elicits emotional responses from the viewer. Haslett's personal struggles with mental health issues make the film feel deeply personal, and her reflections on Weil's work are often poignant and moving. The film also includes interviews with people who have been deeply impacted by Weil's writing, including a Holocaust survivor who recounts how Weil's work helped her survive the horrors of the concentration camp.

Ultimately, An Encounter with Simone Weil is a thought-provoking and deeply moving film that challenges viewers to think critically about their place in the world and how they can work to create a more just and compassionate society. It is a film that will be of interest to anyone interested in philosophy, social justice, and spirituality, as well as anyone grappling with their own struggles with mental health issues.

An Encounter with Simone Weil is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 47.