Hold Me Tight

At dawn, Clarisse begins an emotional journey by meticulously getting ready to leave her family without their knowledge. As she dresses, she makes sure that Marc, Paul, and Lucie remain oblivious to her decision to part ways.

On her way to the sea, Clarisse stops at a gas station where she runs into a friend. During their conversation, her friend alludes to a troubling incident from two months ago, hinting at the complexity of what led Clarisse to leave.

The day after Clarisse's departure, Marc, Paul, and Lucie continue with their daily routines, completely unaware of her absence. This highlights the emotional disconnect as they navigate their lives without realizing the profound change that has occurred.

After arriving at the beach, Clarisse indulges in a night of heavy drinking at a local bar. As she reflects on her choices, she grows increasingly troubled by thoughts of how Marc will explain her absence to their children.

As time passes, the emotional gap widens between Marc and the children, suggesting that Clarisse's departure is taking a toll on family dynamics. Clarisse's voice occasionally interrupts their daily lives, hinting that they are somehow attuned to her feelings.

Clarisse finds herself adapting to her new life by taking on a job as a tour guide for German tourists. However, her emotions are volatile, demonstrating her struggle with acceptance and her unresolved feelings about her family's absence.

In a pivotal moment, a flashback reveals the heartbreaking truth: Marc, Lucie, and Paul died in a skiing accident buried by an avalanche. This shocking revelation reframes all previously shown scenes, which had been Clarisse's coping mechanisms.

Clarisse reflects on her memories, including the moment she met Marc and the car he once drove her home in. These memories painfully remind her of the life and love she lost, fostering a deep sense of longing.

While visiting a lounge, Clarisse meets a flutist and they connect over shared interests. This brief encounter elicits feelings of intimacy, highlighting her desire to reconnect with the world, but she abruptly ends it, overwhelmed by her emotions.

Lucie travels to Paris to audition for a prestigious music school, unaware of Clarisse's desire to support her. When Clarisse accidentally enters the audition room, it causes Lucie to flee in distress, creating a heart-wrenching moment of misconnection.

After the confusion at the audition, the pianist’s parents confront Clarisse, accusing her of stalking. Overcome with emotion, Clarisse feels the weight of her isolation as she realizes she can no longer engage with the family ties that once defined her.

The narrative shifts back to the ski resort, where search and rescue teams finally return with the lifeless bodies of Marc, Lucie, and Paul. Clarisse is overtaken by grief as she lashes out at the bags containing the remains of her family, facing the brutal reality.

After receiving the devastating news, Clarisse returns home to face her life without them. A real estate agent helps her assess the property, and she is struck by the memories tied to every corner of their shared home.

In a poignant act of moving forward, Clarisse compiles photographs of her family and wraps them in Lucie's sheet music. She drives away from the past, signifying her journey to cope with loss while embracing the music that once brought them together.