Soeur sourire | Belgium/France | 2009
124 minutes
Director: Stijn Coninx
Producers: Eric Heumann, Marc Sillam, Christine Pireaux, Peter Bouckaert
Screenplay: Chris Vander Stappen, Ariane Fert, Stijn Coninx
Photography: Yves Vandermeeren
Editor: Philippe Ravoet
Production designer: Arnaud De Moleron
Costume designer: Florence Scholtes
Music: Bruno Fontaine
With: Cécile de France, Sandrine Blancke, Chris Lomme, Marie Kremer, Jo Deseure, Jan Decleir, Johan Leysen, Filip Peeters, Christelle Cornil, Tsilla Chelton
Festivals: Montreal World 2009
In French with English subtitles
Censors rating PG coarse language
Soeur Sourire, the Belgian nun made internationally famous by her infuriatingly infectious hit song “Dominique”, presents a poignant, still resonant case of a strong personality betrayed a fatal conjunction of pop stardom, the exciting new freedoms of the 60s and the church. Gauche, tomboyish and in headlong flight from a cold, constrictive mother and her own repressed sexuality, she finds unlikely refuge in a convent – where she rides reforms in the Catholic Church to become their cute (and lucrative) Singing Nun. Stardom dangled the promise of life beyond the convent, but were audiences ready to hear their favourite former nun sing ballads in praise of the pill? Director Stijn Coninx draws a vivid picture of a society tense with apprehension at the times that are a’changin’. Actress Cécile de France re-activates a proud, hurting young woman’s search for herself in those times.
“This is a unique story, beautifully told and guaranteed to leave a lasting impression… De France is extraordinary.” —Louise Kelly, Urban Cinefile
