Quebecois films – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

SHEPHERDS (BERGERS, TIFF 2024) – Review by Jennifer Green

September 16, 2024September 15, 2024 Jennifer Green Bergers, canadian films., Félix-Antoine Duval, Mathyas Lefebure, Quebecois films, Shepherds, Solène Rigot, Sophie Deraspe, TIFF 2024

There’s a scene midway into France-set film Shepherds (Bergers), where the two protagonists turn their lives around, a moment which also transforms the film from a dark tale set against a man’s world of brutish natural laws, into a bucolic, feminine journey of love and self-discovery. In the key scene, ad exec turned shepherd Mathyas apologizes to his love interest, Elise, for what’s come before. “It’ll make a good story,” Elise shrugs. “Can I change the ending?” he asks, hopefully. “Either way, you’re the hero,” she responds.

Movie of the Week Reviews

MOVIE OF THE WEEK June 18, 2021- LES NOTRES

June 13, 2021June 24, 2021 Jennifer Merin betsy bozdech, Cate Marquis, Emilie Bierre, Jeanne Leblanc, jennifer merin, Judith Baribeau, Les Notres, leslie combemale, loren king, Marianne Farley, Marilyn Ferdinand., motw, Movie of the Week, Pam Grady, Paul Doucet, Quebecois films, sandie angulo chen, sherin nicole

Emilie Bierre delivers a gripping performance as 13-year-old Magalie in Quebecois writer/director Jeanne Leblanc’s wrenching drama Les Notres. Unexpectedly pregnant and left feeling adrift and out of control as her life constricts around her, Magalie is a child who’s forced to make adult decisions after a trusted family friend — literally — abuses that trust. But, as she learns, decisions have consequences.

Reviews

LES NOTRES – Review by Sandie Angulo Chen

June 7, 2021June 13, 2021 Sandie Angulo Chen Emilie Bierre, Jeanne Leblanc, Les Notres, Marianne Farley, motw, Movie of the Week, Paul Doucet, Quebecois films

Canadian writer-director Jeanne Leblanc’s family drama centers on 13-year-old Magalie, whose unexpected pregnancy throws her small Quebec town into a state of constant gossip. Everyone is quick to blame Magalie’s best friend and neighbor Manuel, who happens to be the Mexican-born teen foster child to the town’s beloved mayor -and his wife.

Reviews

LES NOTRES – Review by Jennifer Merin

June 7, 2021June 12, 2021 Jennifer Merin Emilie Bierre, Jeanne Leblanc, Les Notres, Marianne Farley, motw, Movie of the Week, Paul Doucet, Quebecois films

Les Notres, Quebecois writer/director Jeanne Leblanc’s beautifully crafted, taut and extremely gripping coming-of-age drama, centers on 13-year old Magalie (Emillie Bierre), a joyful and talented schoolgirl whose life falls apart when she realizes she’s pregnant and circumstances force her to face and experience the full impact of sexual predation by – no spoiler because it’s evident early in the narrative — the beloved mayor of the tight-knit community in which she lives.

Reviews

LES NOTRES – Review by Loren King

June 7, 2021June 12, 2021 Loren King Emilie Bierre, Jeanne Leblanc, Les Notres, Marianne Farley, motw, Movie of the Week, Paul Doucet, Quebecois films

Among several recent standout films such as Groomed and Slalom that are about the sexual manipulation and abuse of young girls, director Jeanne Leblanc’s Les Notres (Our Own) distinguishes itself for its seeming “normal” depiction of small town life until it gradually turns dark and uncomfortable.