Movies

Imelda, a larger-than-life character inspired by the director’s own grandmother, is a notary’s widow who lives in Gentilly, where she exercises a certain control over her family. With her landmark 100th birthday fast approaching, Imelda realizes that she isn’t yet at peace, with old scores still to settle before any celebrations can begin. Structured as 12 ‘chapters’ chronicling her last years, Imelda faces a bucket-list of challenges: She dreams of reconnecting with her one great love, Herman. She threatens to commit suicide in the family swimming pool by overcoming a lifelong phobia of frogs. She faces down her sons, Jean and André, both duck-hunting notaries. She schemes to get her driver’s license back and drive her beloved Imperial ‘59. Through sheer will, she sets out to become invincible. She practices English – with her Japanese friends. She’s determined to extend her dog Pipo’s life. She tries to belatedly bond with daughter Diane. She confronts the light at the end of the tunnel. She tries to make peace with her lifelong rival, Fat Simone. She catches her last train. She even tries to bury the hatchet with son Jean. As her long and winding life finally draws towards that Exit door, will Imelda ever be able to leave in peace? Throughout the film, based on real events and exploring the ties that bind a family together, we’ll walk in the footsteps of this feisty, sharp-tongued, iron-willed and deeply touching woman, driven by a contagious energy!