LES DÉMONS

Félix just turned 9. A loner by nature, he keeps to himself and ponders the answers to life’s questions. His home life is tense and he’s terrified his parents will separate. While his older sister tries to act as a confidante, it’s clear the troubled young boy is going through a difficult phase. Known for his documentaries Laylou (2013) and Ce cœur qui bat (winner of the 2012 Jutra award for Best Documentary), Philippe Lesage examines childhood emotional trauma with insight and sensitivity. Lesage explores childhood fears from the perspective of his young protagonist, touching on the themes of remorse, abandonment and sexual identity. Long tracking shots create a disturbing effect, as the filmmaker captures everything his characters leave unsaid. With its occasional use of horror movie tropes, Les démons prepares us for the tragic events that unfold without ever revealing their nature.