Father of My Children

Grégoire Canvel, a French film producer, grapples with overwhelming financial difficulties despite his seemingly luxurious lifestyle. His grand country home, chic Paris apartment, and bustling film company mask the reality that he is 4 million euros in debt, a fact that weighs heavily on him.

As production costs escalate, Grégoire continues to take on more projects, believing he can turn his fortunes around. However, this decision only exacerbates his financial woes, leading him to realize that his film catalogue was worth far less than expected, further deepening his despair.

With the bank refusing to provide additional credit, Grégoire reaches a breaking point. In a dramatic act of desperation, he burns his bills, symbolizing his hopelessness and determination to escape his financial collapse.

Overwhelmed by his circumstances, Grégoire takes his own life on the streets, leaving behind a legacy shrouded in tragedy. His death sends shockwaves through his family and the film industry, marking the end of his troubled journey.

In the aftermath of Grégoire's death, his wife Sylvia resolves to honor her husband's memory by finishing the films still in production. She navigates the challenges of a struggling company but soon faces the harsh reality of her husband’s financial decisions.

Sylvia's efforts to salvage Grégoire's legacy ultimately fail, leading her to the difficult decision to liquidate the film company. This heartbreaking choice symbolizes the finality of their dreams and the impact of Grégoire's financial choices on his family.

While waiting outside the production office, Clémence overhears conversations that reveal her father's secret life, including the existence of her estranged half-brother. This shocking discovery ignites a longing in her for connection and understanding of her father's choices.

Determined to learn more about her father's past, Clémence begins sifting through his papers. Her investigation uncovers details about Moune, her half-brother, for whom Grégoire had been providing financial support, and she feels compelled to find him.

Clémence finally meets Moune's mother, Isabelle, hoping to gain insights into her father’s secret life. Although this meeting helps her understand part of her father's story, it is only a precursor to the deeper connection Clémence yearns for with her half-brother.

On the day the company is officially dissolved, Sylvia and her three daughters visit Grégoire's office for a final farewell. The atmosphere is bittersweet as they confront the reality of their loss and the parting of ways with their father’s dreams.

As they prepare to leave Paris, Clémence expresses a deep desire to visit her father's grave to say a proper goodbye. This longing underscores her emotional struggle and the unresolved feelings she has about her father's life and choices.

While traveling through the city, Clémence's tears flow freely in the backseat, a poignant representation of her grief and yearning for closure. This moment emphasizes the emotional toll of their father's tragic decisions on the family.