Cherry

What gives life its meaning? In this poignant short film by director Laurence Gagné-Frégeau, we are introduced to the luminous Marie-Lise Chouinard, affectionately known as Cherry. At just 36 years old, Marie-Lise is in the terminal stage of cancer, with only a few months left to live. Her boundless joy for life is immediately striking as she chats with a friend and the filmmaker in a Montreal park. We are instantly captivated by her spirit, making the awareness of her limited time all the more heartrending.

As the film progresses, the stark realities of her illness emerge, depicted through the devoted care of her loved ones who take turns supporting her in her apartment. The narrative shifts between moments of lightness—friends dancing in her living room, laughter, and fleeting joy—and the harsh inevitability of her body's gradual decline. With profound vulnerability and generosity, Marie-Lise strives to find meaning in her impending death. Through candid and heartfelt conversations imbued with humor and depth, she offers a powerful meditation on life, friendship, and our capacity to find wonder even in the face of the inevitable.The result is a profoundly moving documentary portrait that holds a mirror to our own lives, reminding us of what truly matters.

Laurence B. Lemaire
Tënk co-director