Spare the rod and save the child

Conceived by Publicis Conseil and sensitively directed by Laura Sicouri through Insurrection, this tender film, The Words I Won’t Say, depicts a mother and son under stress and reveals two reactions to the boy’s difficult behaviour – patient understanding or a violent lashing out. 

It’s prompted by the recent voting in of a law in France, (40 years after Europeans countries such as Sweden) that prohibits disciplinary violence against children, such as slapping, spanking, pinching or humiliation. It states that parental authority should be exercised without physical or psychological violence but despite regulation, habits still persist in French homes. 

StopVEO’s mission is offer a guide to good parenting and conflict resolution without being judgemental or preachy, the film achieves this with an authentic depiction of the deep bond between mother and child – aided by some brilliant acting from the two leads.