Pauline Julien, Intimate and Political

For many Quebecers, her unique voice is instantly recognizable—that blend of what is called an international French accent with perfectly rolled "r"s, those deep yet modulated tones, and her flawless articulation in the language of Molière and Vigneault. Her hair, too, is unmistakable at first glance, always abundant—whether styled in the neatly arranged bouffant typical of the 1960s or the voluminous cascading mane of the 1970s and 1980s (she should have been nicknamed "The Lioness" rather than "The Fox"). Her wide, generous smile, her slender silhouette, her passionate yet precise, eloquent gestures. This iconic and dazzling aura alone would have been enough to keep the memory of the one and only Pauline Julien alive more than a quarter-century after her suicide in 1998. But as Pascale Ferland's marvelous documentary reminds us, Pauline Julien was so much more than that.

From her beginnings in Paris to her untimely death, the filmmaker delves into the many fervent lives of a woman who never left the stage, starting as an actress before committing fully to music. Through numerous clips of performances, interviews, events, personal memories, and political rallies, the film paints a multifaceted and sprawling portrait of a woman who defined herself as "a woman, singer, artist, lover, activist, nationalist." It also offers a broader view of the Quebec nation she believed in and defended with all her being, from Parisian cabarets to the airwaves of English-speaking Canada. Her words and passion—for the poet Gérald Godin (her great love), for Quebec, for the French language, and for Quebec culture—resonate powerfully in this remarkable film. True to its title, it weaves together the personal and the political embodied by this exceptional woman who left a lasting mark on our history. Between her songs (Jack Monoloy, L’âme à la tendresse, La Manic) and her activist efforts, Pascale Ferland reveals a vibrant woman, both strong and fragile, who remains an enduring example of total commitment and complete freedom.

Claire Valade
Critic and programmer