EMILE

Canada, 2003,
Ian Mc Kellan, Debora Kara Unger, Theo Crane.
Directed by Carl Bessai.

Emile is an elderly academic returning from Britain to his home country, Canada, to receive an honorary degree. It provides the occasion for him to meet his niece (whom he left in an orphanage when her parents died in an accident) and her daughter. She dislikes him and resents his abandoning her. Her daughter is resentful of her mother. In fact, there is a great deal of resentment in the family which is revealed through stylized flashbacks where Emile’s long-dead brothers interact with him. He moves in and out of the past. Gradually, he comes to some peace, especially through the friendship of his grandniece.

This is a modest small-budget film with Carl Bessai acting as writer, director and director of photography. Its strength is in the quiet, almost reticent performance by Ian Mc Kellan as Emile - a far cry from Gandalf. Debora Kara Unger is intense as his niece. A small, personal drama.

1. The title, the focus on Emile? As a young man, his early career, the brief return to Canada, his semi-retirement and visit?

2. Emile, self-reflection, examining his conscience, his memories, the flashbacks in his mind, seeing people as they were when he first met them?

3. The Canadian production, Saskatchewan of the farm, the contrast with Britain and the academic world? The musical score?

4. Ian Mc Kellen as Emile? Strong presence and performance?

5. The role of memory, regrets, sense of loss, age, guilt, self-recrimination? Some atonement?

6. Emile as a young man, Carl and his work on the farm, Freddy as young, wanting to be a writer, Carl keeping him on the farm for his mechanical skills? Emile escaping to the UK? Gaining whereas Freddy lost the academic opportunity and to leave the farm? His promise to Freddy to return, his not returning? His becoming part of the academic world, becoming British, his accent, bearing?

7. The portrait of the two brothers, Carl, dominant, his marriage, Nadia? Freddy’s death, gassing himself? Carl and his wife in the car accident? Nadia and her being an orphan?

8. Emile’s brief return to Canada, no regard for the family, abandoning Nadia to the orphanage? The business matters his sole concern?

9. His later return, the honour at the University, his speech and acceptance? His going on the trip, the contact with Nadia? Nadia as a character, her husband and separation? Her care for Maria? Welcoming Emile, the frank discussions, the memories, his abandoning her? His bonding with Maria, sharing with her?

10. Emile and the opportunity to reassess his life, accept what was blameworthy, his responsibilities and shortcomings? The opportunity to re-bond with his family and give some meaning to his life?