Nouvelle revue de psychosociologie 2026/1 N° 41
Journal article

“Neither the Sun nor Death can be looked at with a steady eye” (La Rochefoucauld): Between intimacy and extimacy, between pure anguish and idealization of death

Pages 119 to 132

Cite this article

  • BENHAÏM, Michèle
  • and BRODA, Vladimir,
2026. “Neither the Sun nor Death can be looked at with a steady eye” (La Rochefoucauld): Between intimacy and extimacy, between pure anguish and idealization of death. Nouvelle revue de psychosociologie, 2026/1 N° 41, p.119-132. DOI : 10.3917/nrp.041.0119. URL : https://shs.cairn.info/journal-nouvelle-revue-de-psychosociologie-2026-1-page-119?lang=en.
  • Benhaïm, Michèle.
  • et al.
« “Neither the Sun nor Death can be looked at with a steady eye” (La Rochefoucauld): Between intimacy and extimacy, between pure anguish and idealization of death ». Nouvelle revue de psychosociologie, 2026/1 N° 41, 2026. p.119-132. CAIRN.INFO, shs.cairn.info/journal-nouvelle-revue-de-psychosociologie-2026-1-page-119?lang=en.
  • Benhaïm, M.
  • and Broda, V.
(2026). “neither the Sun nor Death Can Be Looked at With a Steady Eye” (la Rochefoucauld): Between Intimacy and Extimacy, Between Pure Anguish and Idealization of Death. Nouvelle revue de psychosociologie, 41(1), 119-132. https://doi.org/10.3917/nrp.041.0119.

https://doi.org/10.3917/nrp.041.0119

Abstract
Authors

Cite this article

  • Benhaïm, M.
  • and Broda, V.
(2026). “neither the Sun nor Death Can Be Looked at With a Steady Eye” (la Rochefoucauld): Between Intimacy and Extimacy, Between Pure Anguish and Idealization of Death. Nouvelle revue de psychosociologie, 41(1), 119-132. https://doi.org/10.3917/nrp.041.0119.
  • Benhaïm, Michèle.
  • et al.
« “Neither the Sun nor Death can be looked at with a steady eye” (La Rochefoucauld): Between intimacy and extimacy, between pure anguish and idealization of death ». Nouvelle revue de psychosociologie, 2026/1 N° 41, 2026. p.119-132. CAIRN.INFO, shs.cairn.info/journal-nouvelle-revue-de-psychosociologie-2026-1-page-119?lang=en.
  • BENHAÏM, Michèle
  • and BRODA, Vladimir,
2026. “Neither the Sun nor Death can be looked at with a steady eye” (La Rochefoucauld): Between intimacy and extimacy, between pure anguish and idealization of death. Nouvelle revue de psychosociologie, 2026/1 N° 41, p.119-132. DOI : 10.3917/nrp.041.0119. URL : https://shs.cairn.info/journal-nouvelle-revue-de-psychosociologie-2026-1-page-119?lang=en.

https://doi.org/10.3917/nrp.041.0119

French
Español
English

This article explores the complex issue of death and the end of life through the analysis of three contemporary films: The Room Next Door by Almodóvar, Last Breath by Costa-Gavras, and The Shrouds by Cronenberg.The authors highlight the human paradox: While we are aware of our mortality, we also carry an illusion of immortality, as theorized by Freud. This paradox encourages each person to examine their relationship with death throughout their lives.The films are analyzed for their delicate approach to end-of-life issues, avoiding pathos and idealization while acknowledging the suffering generated by mortality. The simultaneous release of these works in 2024 reflects an urgency to address this topic in a context where aging is becoming increasingly visible.

Uploaded: 04/29/2026

https://doi.org/10.3917/nrp.041.0119

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