"Clara lives in an isolated religious community in Maniwaki. One day, she hops on a bus to Montreal in search of her escaped older sister. A clash of cultures, beliefs and certainties awaits her in the metropolis." Sylvia Galipeau, April 12, 2024, La Presse
These two young sisters - Clara and Sarah Gagnon - have always lived in the country with their parents, in a Christian community cut off from the world. The day Sarah suddenly disappears, Clara falls apart. Convinced she knows where her sister is hiding, Clara runs away too, in the hope of bringing her back to "the straight and narrow". Clara arrives in Montreal at the home of her unknown Aunt Louise, only to discover to her horror that her sister is not there. When her aunt tells her that she's about to leave on vacation, Clara realizes that she only has ten days to find her sister. As she searches the city, Clara discovers the world, doubt and the price of freedom.
Directed by: Nathalie Saint-Pierre
Country: Canada (Quebec)
Year: 2023
Running time: 118 minutes
Language: French
Starring :
Lou Thompson (Clara Gagnon)
Edith Cochrane (Louise)
Philomène Bilodeau (Sarah Gagnon)
Dominik Dagenais (Sam)
Edith Dandenault (Josiane Gagnon)
Joël Lemay (Gilbert)
Presented in partnership with Centre d'études du religieux contemporain of Université de Sherbrooke.
Special Guest:
Lorraine Derocher, Ph.D., is a sociologist, associate professor at the Center for Contemporary Religious Studies at the University of Sherbrooke, and a regular member of the Center for Research on Childhood and Family at McGill University. For over twenty years, she has been interested in children who have grown up within sectarian groups. She is also the author of four books, including a popular book titled 'These Forgotten Children – Growing Up in a Sectarian Community' (Éditions de l'Homme, 2022; Dianne Casoni Award). Lorraine Derocher has developed expertise that leads her to work as a consultant, speaker, and trainer.