Y'a une étoile

Director: Julien Cadieux
Release Year: 2023

Title in English: There’s a Star

Y’a une étoile (2023), a documentary film directed by Julien Cadieux, offers an evocative and thought-provoking exploration of LGBTQ+ identities in rural Acadia. This hybrid documentary-musical blends personal stories, vibrant visuals, and music to explore themes of identity, belonging, and acceptance. Through the lens of Samuel LeBlanc, a young transgender musician, the film weaves a narrative that is as much about the challenges of being queer in a conservative, rural setting as it is about finding community, resilience, and joy in the face of adversity.

 

The film opens with a poetic and intimate scene where Samuel LeBlanc, a transgender musician from a small town in Acadia, lies in bed, reciting the lyrics to Angèle Arsenault’s song “De temps en temps moi j’ai les bleus.” The melancholic lyrics resonate deeply with Samuel’s own experience of alienation and isolation during his youth. As the camera shifts subtly to depict a dreamlike Technicolor landscape, Samuel’s bandmates from Écarlate, Clémence Langlois and Daphnée McIntyre, join him in performing a somber, reflective version of the song. The opening establishes the film’s delicate balance between dreamlike fantasy and painful reality, setting the tone for the exploration of queer identity in Acadia. Through skillful transitions between fantasy and reality - marked by changes in clothing and subtle shifts in cinematography - Cadieux guides the viewer through Samuel's personal journey. The documentary takes a poignant turn when Samuel answers questions from high school students about his experience transitioning. As he recounts his struggles growing up queer in Acadia, the foundation for the film’s central theme emerges. The early moments of the film hint at its eventual focus on hope, triumph, and the possibility of acceptance and joy, as Cadieux introduces an uplifting scene with McIntyre and a group of dancers performing a lively version of the song’s final verses.

 

The documentary doesn’t just focus on the hardships of growing up queer in a rural setting; it also explores how music, particularly the work of Angèle Arsenault, serves as a guide and source of strength. Arsenault’s songs, rich with themes of self-acceptance and the celebration of difference, become the North Star of the film. As Samuel embarks on a journey through rural Acadia, he meets others who share his experience of being queer in a conservative, predominantly heteronormative community. These conversations illuminate the struggles and resilience of LGBTQ+ individuals living in regions where visibility and representation are minimal. The film delves into the stories of these individuals, many of whom speak about their sense of isolation and the challenges they face in communities that adhere to traditional gender norms. For example, Matty, a transgender hairdresser, shares the discomfort of being viewed as a curiosity or a spectacle by those who invade their personal space, emphasizing that transgender people are not “unicorns in a zoo” for others to gawk at. These conversations underscore a shared experience of navigating multiple identities - whether that means reconciling queer identity with one’s Indigenous heritage, or confronting the contradictions of being both Acadian and queer. While the film examines the struggles of those who feel isolated by their queerness in rural communities, it also offers a message of hope. Through interviews with individuals who have returned to Acadia after having lived in larger cities, Cadieux suggests that one need not leave one’s roots behind to find a sense of belonging.

 

The documentary portrays how it is possible to thrive and build community even in rural settings, where LGBTQ+ visibility may be lacking. This sentiment is reinforced by the historical reference to La Vieille Maison, the legacy of early queer icon Adolphe Robicheau, illustrating that LGBTQ+ culture has deep, lasting roots in Acadian history. One of the challenges of the film, however, lies in the sheer number of people featured. Although these individuals each contribute to the narrative, the limited runtime prevents a deeper exploration of each person’s story. This is particularly noticeable in the moments when Samuel reflects on his own experiences with his family, such as his mother and grandmother. These poignant reflections, while powerful, feel slightly rushed, as though there wasn’t enough time to fully explore their significance. Nonetheless, Y’a une étoile succeeds as an engaging and richly layered work. It combines finely crafted musical sequences with deeply moving personal stories, creating an atmosphere that is as captivating as it is heartwarming. As the film navigates through Samuel’s journey, the audience is invited to reflect on the complexities of identity, community, and acceptance. The music of Angèle Arsenault plays a vital role, providing both the emotional backbone and the cultural context for the story, as it weaves together themes of self-expression and the fight for personal authenticity.

 

The film offers a fresh take on the documentary genre, blending elements of musical theater with documentary storytelling. The stunning cinematography, which captures the rural landscapes of Acadia in vivid color, imbues the film with a sense of wonder and possibility. Samuel’s journey is portrayed with a playfulness and optimism that invites viewers to reflect on the idea of finding joy and building community in places that may seem, at first glance, unwelcoming to difference. Part of the appeal of Y’a une étoile lies in its subversion of traditional expectations surrounding LGBTQ+ representation. The film challenges the assumption that urban centers are the only places where queer people can live authentically. By highlighting queer life in rural Acadia, Cadieux opens up a conversation about the potential for queer identities to flourish outside of large cities and mainstream LGBTQ+ hubs. It is a powerful exploration of how rural communities can embrace queer culture and how, even in places with limited resources or visible representation, individuals can find ways to live full, meaningful lives. The documentary’s exploration of Acadian identity adds another layer of depth to the narrative. While Acadia is often associated with a rich cultural heritage, its rural nature has historically made it difficult for many to reconcile their queer identities with their cultural roots.

 

The film carefully navigates this tension, offering a nuanced portrayal of the ways in which queer individuals in Acadia are embracing both their Acadian heritage and their queer identities. For many of the people featured in the film, it is this duality that creates both a sense of conflict and a source of strength. This thematic exploration is complemented by the vibrant musical numbers that punctuate the film, which incorporate songs from Angèle Arsenault’s catalog. Arsenault’s music is deeply embedded in Acadian culture, and her songs provide a powerful framework for understanding the experiences of the individuals in the film. Her songs are anthems of acceptance, resilience, and self-expression, and they serve as a guiding force for Samuel and others like him as they navigate their journeys toward self-actualization. 

 

Another notable aspect of Y’a une étoile is its representation of drag queens in Acadia. The film highlights the stories of several Acadian drag queens, offering a glimpse into a vibrant subculture that is both a form of self-expression and a means of challenging societal norms. These performances are not merely acts of entertainment; they are acts of defiance, reclaiming space and visibility for marginalized communities. The use of colorful costumes, fluid fabrics, and theatrical performances serves as a visual metaphor for the freedom and joy that comes with embracing one’s true self. As Y’a une étoile unfolds, it becomes clear that the film is about more than just the struggle for LGBTQ+ acceptance in rural communities. It is also about the importance of creating spaces where individuals can live authentically, free from the constraints of societal expectations. Through Samuel’s journey and the stories of those he meets, the film challenges the notion that queer identity is something that must be hidden or left behind when living in rural areas. It celebrates the idea that queer people have the right to remain rooted in their communities, even as they embrace their identities.

 

Ultimately, Y’a une étoile is a deeply moving and inspiring film that explores the intersection of culture, identity, and community in the context of queer life in Acadia. It offers a fresh perspective on the rural queer experience, blending personal stories, music, and powerful visuals to create a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences. By highlighting the resilience and strength of queer individuals in rural communities, Cadieux’s film serves as both a celebration of Acadian culture and a call for greater visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities in all spaces, rural or urban. In conclusion, Y’a une étoile is an innovative and poignant documentary that challenges preconceived notions about queer life in rural areas. It is a film that encourages viewers to reflect on the complexities of identity, belonging, and community, while also offering a message of hope and empowerment for those who may feel marginalized or isolated. Through its combination of music, personal stories, and stunning visuals, the film invites audiences to see the world - and the queer experience - in a new, colorful light.

 

via: youtube

 nbmediacoop.org and povmagazine.com

Image credits: YouTube