The biopic “I Swear,” known in French as “Plus fort que moi,” has drawn attention for its portrayal of John Davidson, a Scottish activist with Tourette syndrome and its recognition at recent award ceremonies.
Directed by Kirk Jones, the film stars Robert Aramayo, who won the BAFTA for Best Actor for his performance as Davidson. Aramayo prepared for the role by studying Davidson’s life and meeting individuals with Tourette syndrome, aiming to authentically represent the condition’s physical and verbal tics.
The narrative follows Davidson from his school years, where undiagnosed symptoms led to bullying and academic struggles, through adulthood marked by unemployment and familial strain. His mother’s exhaustion and the eventual arrival of a childhood friend, Murray, who returns from Australia to care for Davidson’s ailing mother, form key emotional beats in the story.
Supporting characters include Davidson’s mother, portrayed by Shirley Henderson, and figures like Murray’s mother Dottie, played by Maxine Peake, whose cancer diagnosis brings her into contact with Davidson, and theatre worker Tommy, played by Peter Mullan, who offers him employment at a cultural centre.
Jones, known for lighter fare such as “Waking Ned Devine” and “Nanny McPhee,” approached the biopic with restraint, using a flashback structure and archival footage to tell Davidson’s story without stylistic experimentation. The film’s strength, according to critics, lies in its balance of sensitivity and humour in depicting a life shaped by neurological difference.
Lauren Evans, the casting director who won a BAFTA for Best Casting, selected Aramayo after close study of Davidson’s background and consultations with the Tourette community, a decision highlighted as pivotal to the film’s authenticity.
In Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert, a special screening of the film in its original English version with French subtitles is scheduled for April 23 at 6 p.m. At the Family Cinéma, organized in partnership with the Espace Langues of Andrézieux-Bouthéon. The event includes a post-screening discussion with English teachers and offers reduced admission for all attendees.
The screening reflects ongoing efforts to use cinema as a tool for language learning and public awareness, particularly around neurological conditions that remain misunderstood.
What is the significance of Robert Aramayo’s BAFTA win in relation to the film?
Robert Aramayo won the BAFTA for Best Actor for portraying John Davidson, which brought increased visibility to the film and its subject matter, underscoring the performance’s impact in representing Tourette syndrome authentically.
How does the film depict the challenges faced by individuals with Tourette syndrome in the 1980s?
The film shows that in 1980s Scotland, little was known about Tourette syndrome, leading to misinterpretation of symptoms as behavioural issues, resulting in bullying, disciplinary action, and family distress for the protagonist.