a film by Gérald Hustache-Mathieu
2006 | 96 mins | France
Sophie Quinton .... Avril
Miou-Miou .... Sister Bernadette
Nicolas Duvauchelle .... Pierre
Clément Sibony .... David
Richaud Valls .... Jim
Geneviève Casile .... Mother Superior
Avril
a life-affirming work of
sensual and spiritual discovery
Available on DVD as part of the
Peccadillo Pictures catalogue
www.peccadillopod.com
|
|
Once again the two-edged sword that is religion and homosexuality raises its sharpened blade,
only not as you expect in this enchanting feature from writer and director
Gérald Hustache-Mathieu.
For this is the joyous story of novice Avril, a nun in the making who two weeks before taking her
final vows learns that she has a brother and urged on by Sister Bernadette, uses her fortnight
of holy contemplation to get to know the brother that she knew not. Only it would appear that
many a surprise lies in store for her, for not only does she discover that the strict
Trappistine Order which has been her life for the majority of her twenty years was
actually annulled, a fact that the tyrannical Mother Superior failed to
disclose, but that her brother David is actually her twin.
Yet learning the facts was the easy part, as locating him proves more difficult, not only on
account that David and his girlfriend are currently on holiday in the coastal region of Camargue
in southern France, but her trusted bicycle has developed a puncture. But worry not, for God is
on your side, as to her rescue arrives Pierre, a paint shop trainee who can mix the medium, but
unlike Avril has not the flair to use it. Clearly smitten by the angelic qualities of the
girl before him, Pierre seemingly casts his job aside and offers to take Avril to meet her
brother, only for her to come face to face with David and his 'girlfriend' in the manly
form of Jim! It is a meeting that is destined to forever change their lives.
As always with films of this nature, the question of how exposure to the outside world will
affect the Christian commitment of a nun in the making, remains the mainstay of the piece. And
suffice to say that Avril is soon to discover aspects of the world outside the convent doors, as
hitherto unknown. Yet to add whether she equally discovers sides of her body, let alone the body
of another would be saying. For the beauty of this feature is that Hustache-Mathieu keeps the
surprises coming, not least of which is Avril's take on homosexuality; shocked not by the
true nature of her brother's sexuality, but rather by his concealment of the fact itself.
That such is matched by spirited performances from a young cast who are particularly good at
expressing the emotions of growing friendship and camaraderie essential to the heartwarming
feel of the piece, is what makes this work of strangers who become friends stand head
and shoulders above many an independent film; religious or otherwise.
For Avril is not your typical would be nun; but then neither is it your standard cinematic
offering. Rather this is a gay work in which overt male nudity and homosexual intimacy take a
notable backseat to showcase instead the refreshing tale of a young woman who comes to discover
not only her fraternal brother, but also her very destiny. It is one in which the reality of
secular life contrasts with religious virtue and a view of the world whilst not entirely through
innocent eyes, is certainly one that seeks out the best that can be found in all of us. All of
which makes the more graphic conclusion arrive as something of a shock. Then again, there is
good reason for such, as too there is good reason to watch this feature, given this
life-affirming work remains a sheer joy from start to finish, cementing
as-it-does the foundation stone of a highly impressive directorial
journey of sensual and spiritual discovery. Need more be said?
|
