This Canadian relationship drama by director Chloé Robichaud follows the emotional journey of Emma (Sophie Desmarais) from the first scene: on a sunny day she jumps to rest on a floater at the pond, closes her eyes for a while and when she opens them again realizes she is far from the shore and doesn´t know how to swim…

Emma is a young and promising conductor at the Montreal cultural scene, she provides the weight of feminity on stage with elegance and a revealing gaze. Since childhood, she has had a toxic relationship with her father Patrick (Sylvain Marcel) due to intra-family violence; the father happens to be also her agent. Emma is romantically involved with Naelle (Nour Belkhiria) a cellist in the orchestra and a single mother with her son Jad (Rayan Benmoussa).

The disquietness Emma subtly projects goes with her throughout the film. Despite grief, there is a constant coldness from her immediate family and demands made on her too. In her new position as conductor she has Carte Blanche although her musical selection is ruled by her father, something she is not necessarily convinced or comfortable with.

The music choices in the film relate to months of the year and to Emma´s emotions: Mozart allows her to show her skills commanding the orchestra; the dissonant choice of Schoenberg reflects the experiences she has with her parents, and the conduction of Mahler allows her hidden emotions to come to the surface.

It is said in the film that Emma has been a model student, there is a reminder that model students can be boring if they do not break the rules and show a bit of rage and passion… It is Emma’s turn, a quest for freedom, if so, with the promise of happier days ahead.

P.S. With the participation of The Orchestre Métropolitain de Montreal, the excerpts heard in the film were conducted by its artistic director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. He also was an advisor and musical consultant for the movie production.

 

Days of Happiness is having its World Premiere at TIFF on 9/8

 

 

Review by José Mayorga , Guatemala, Central America lawyer and notary public, visual artist, and editor of El Azar Cultural, lives and works in Guatemala City. Cinema lover, curious about the possibilities life brings and eager to live the experience.