Automatische concepten

English summary

A father leaves his ‘feral’ 14-year-old daughter in the care of the Larnay Institute, a nunnery near Poitiers. It’s the end of the 19th century and from this point on we see the true story unfold of Marie  and Sister Marguerite. Marie is deaf and blind and lives entirely within herself. Her sense of smell and touch are her only means of engaging with the world. Initially, the mother superior (Brigitte Catillon) rejects Marie because the nuns don’t have the means to care for her. But Sister Marguerite manages to persuade her of the child’s will-power and the possibilities for making contact with Marie. We witness the battle to communicate with Marie and the emotional connection that develops between her and Sister Marguerite. Thanks to this relationship, Marie is able to make great progress. Marie Heurtin is a sensitive film devoid of any sentimentality. It has won the Piazza Grande Award at filmfestival Locarno last year.