Watch Paparmane

Paparmane, also known as Wintergreen, is a 2010 French-Canadian drama film directed by Joël Farges. The movie follows the story of three women - Louise (Sophie Desmarais), Simone (Monique Gosselin), and Nicole (Steve Laplante) - who live in the remote town of Matawinie, Quebec, as they navigate through their personal struggles and relationships during the harsh winter months.

The film opens with Louise, a single mother, struggling to make ends meet as she works as a seamstress and takes care of her son, Theo (Simon Pigeon). Despite her hardships, Louise tries to remain optimistic and finds solace in her friendship with Simone, an elderly widow who lives alone in a nearby cottage. However, their friendship is threatened when Simone's estranged daughter, Nicole, returns to Matawinie after years of absence.

Nicole, a famous actress known for her wild behavior and drug addiction, arrives in Matawinie under dubious circumstances, seeking to escape the paparazzi who have been hounding her in the city. Upon her arrival, she immediately clashes with the locals, particularly Louise and Simone, who are suspicious of her intentions. Despite these reservations, Nicole tries to reconnect with her mother, but soon realizes that their relationship is irreparably damaged.

As the winter deepens, the film explores the complex relationships between these three women, whose lives are intertwined in ways they could never have imagined. The film delves into themes of loneliness, loss, and the search for redemption as each woman tries to overcome their personal demons and find a way forward.

Paparmane is a visually stunning film that captures the bleak, beautiful landscape of rural Quebec during the winter months. The film's haunting score perfectly complements the atmospheric cinematography, creating a sense of foreboding and melancholy that permeates throughout the entire movie.

The performances in Paparmane are exceptional, particularly those of Sophie Desmarais and Monique Gosselin, who bring depth and nuance to their respective roles. Desmarais delivers a poignant performance as Louise, a woman whose resilience and determination are put to the test as she tries to provide for her son, while Gosselin is mesmerizing as Simone, a woman who harbors a dark secret that threatens to destroy her relationship with Louise.

Steve Laplante also impresses as Nicole, a character who could have easily been reduced to a caricature, but instead is presented as a complicated, multi-layered individual struggling to come to terms with her past mistakes.

Overall, Paparmane is a thought-provoking drama that explores the complexities of human relationships and the struggle to find meaning in the midst of hardship. The film is a haunting meditation on the fragility of life and the enduring power of human connection, and is a must-see for fans of character-driven cinema.

Paparmane is a 2011 comedy with a runtime of 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.