Trailer
Special Mention — Award for Best Canadian Short Film, 2021
Artist Marie-Hélène Bellavance is recognized on the contemporary Canadian scene for her work in dance and visual arts. In this highly personal film, she shares the challenge that dance represents for her. She also sheds light on her journey to acceptance of her physical disability, having lost both her legs as a child. For a long time, Marie-Hélène tried to hide the fact that she used prosthetic legs to walk. But the arrival of her children, and her relationship with her elder daughter, pushed her to perceive and represent her body in new ways. Today, she understands that her difference allows her to be fulfilled on many levels; to define her own artistic approach. An inspiring and intimate account of one woman’s capacity to transform vulnerability into strength — even creative force — and to impart this resilience to her children.
Artist Marie-Hélène Bellavance is recognized on the contemporary Canadian scene for her work in dance and visual arts. In this highly personal film, she shares the challenge that dance represents for her. She also sheds light on her journey to acceptance of her physical disability, having lost both her legs as a child. For a long time, Marie-Hélène tried to hide the fact that she used prosthetic legs to walk. But the arrival of her children, and her relationship with her elder daughter, pushed her to perceive and represent her body in new ways. Today, she understands that her difference allows her to be fulfilled on many levels; to define her own artistic approach. An inspiring and intimate account of one woman’s capacity to transform vulnerability into strength — even creative force — and to impart this resilience to her children.
1905 International Human Rights Film Festival, Hong Kong (Juin, 2020)
Asia Micro Films Art Festival, Chine (Nov, 2020)
Asia Micro Films Art Festival, Chine (Nov, 2020)
| Director | Annie Leclair |
| Script | Annie Leclair |
| Production | Annie Leclair |
| Participation | Lucie Grégoire, Léonore Lavigne, Romane Lavigne, Georges-Nicolas Tremblay |
| Editing | Annie Leclair |
| Cast | Marie-Hélène Bellavance |
| Sound | Mélanie Gauthier, Martyne Morin |
| Sound mixing | Daniel Toussaint |
| Cinematography | François Vincelette, Katerine Giguère |
| Music | Luc St. Pierre, Agnes Obel |
Katerine Giguère
Katerine Giguère
Production
Annie Leclair
French Canadian award-winning editor and now filmmaker, Annie Leclair is an expert story teller known for her powerful films that resonate with audiences around the world.
Among her noted edited projects; Les Accrocheurs, prix Gémeaux (2013), Zimbelism, Hot Docs Finalist (2016), Revealing Marie Saint Pierre, Audience Choice et Best Documentary Award, Forest City Film Festival (2016) and Into the light with Cité Mémoire, Best Documentary Award, Arte Non Stop Festival, Argentina (2020) & Audience Choice Award, Forest City Film Festival, Canada (2020).
Annie’s directorial debut, the short film Grounded (Enracinée), was chosen to represent Quebec at the 1905 International Human Rights Film Festival of Hong Kong (June 2020) and was praised at the 8th edition of Asia Micro Films Art Festival of Yunnan, China (November 2020). Grounded is also a finalist at the prestigious SIMA AWARDS (2021).
Passionate and dedicated about filmmaking, Annie has been a documentary film editor for 15 years and is a former board member of the Montreal Women in Film and Television Association (FCTMN). She is currently working on her first feature-length documentary.
Biographical notes provided by the film production team
Among her noted edited projects; Les Accrocheurs, prix Gémeaux (2013), Zimbelism, Hot Docs Finalist (2016), Revealing Marie Saint Pierre, Audience Choice et Best Documentary Award, Forest City Film Festival (2016) and Into the light with Cité Mémoire, Best Documentary Award, Arte Non Stop Festival, Argentina (2020) & Audience Choice Award, Forest City Film Festival, Canada (2020).
Annie’s directorial debut, the short film Grounded (Enracinée), was chosen to represent Quebec at the 1905 International Human Rights Film Festival of Hong Kong (June 2020) and was praised at the 8th edition of Asia Micro Films Art Festival of Yunnan, China (November 2020). Grounded is also a finalist at the prestigious SIMA AWARDS (2021).
Passionate and dedicated about filmmaking, Annie has been a documentary film editor for 15 years and is a former board member of the Montreal Women in Film and Television Association (FCTMN). She is currently working on her first feature-length documentary.
Biographical notes provided by the film production team
Open Sky (2020) (Director and content consultant)
This Ability (In development)
This Ability (In development)
