Family First

In the tight‑knit neighbourhood of Verdun, JP finds his life pulled in opposite directions. By day he shares a cramped apartment with his brother Vincent, their mother Joe, and by night he balances a demanding collection job with the uneasy expectations of his uncle Dany, who heads a local, unofficial enterprise. The arrangement forces JP to act as the family’s unofficial glue, constantly mediating between the practical needs of his loved ones and the shadowed obligations that the business imposes.

The film paints Verdun with a muted, almost palpable humidity, where narrow streets and the humming of everyday life sit under a subtle, ever‑present tension. The cramped living space becomes a micro‑cosm of larger pressures: love, duty, and the lingering sense that any misstep might ripple outward. Mel, JP’s girlfriend, drifts in and out of this world, offering a glimpse of an alternative life that seems both inviting and impossible to grasp fully. The neighbourhood’s small businesses and ordinary moments are tinged with an undercurrent that hints at something more dangerous lurking just beyond the surface.

At its core, the story examines how loyalty can feel both protective and imprisoning. Vincent embodies a restless devotion to the family code, while JP wrestles with the growing desire to carve out a steadier path for himself and those he cares about. The dynamics among the siblings, their mother, and Mel create a delicate balance where affection is constantly measured against survival. The tone remains taut and intimate, inviting the audience to feel the weight of each unspoken decision, and leaving the question of whether JP can ever truly step out of the circle that both sustains and confines him.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 16:52