Mon oncle Antoine

The events unfold in rural Quebec during the 1940s, a period of traditional values and limited modernization. Life centers on family, work, and religious rituals, with a quiet economy and clear social hierarchies. This era frames the characters' choices and the town's response to Marcel's death.

Set in a small town in rural Quebec, the story centers on the Poulin family’s general store. The store is the social hub where locals gather, exchange news, and observe Christmas Eve traditions. The wintry landscape and close-knit community shape the mood as life, death, and secrets ripple through the day.

🌱 Coming of Age

Benoît, a teenage boy, is thrust from childhood innocence into the complexities of adult life on one Christmas Eve. He navigates loyalty to his aunt and uncle while confronting uncomfortable truths about desire, mortality, and moral ambiguity. The day forces him to witness adult flaws and begin forming his own values.

🕯️ Mortality

Marcel's death acts as a catalyst that punctures the town’s routines and exposes the fragility of life. The coffin mishap, the uncle’s confession of unhappiness, and Benoît’s trauma reveal how death unsettles the social fabric. The day becomes a meditation on memory, grief, and responsibility.

🎭 Morality & Secrets

Aunt Cecile's affair with Fernand exposes how appearances are maintained while private pain remains hidden. The family grapples with guilt, loyalty, and hypocrisy as they try to keep up appearances in public. The small-town code of silence collides with raw emotions beneath the surface.

🏠 Family & Loyalty

Benoît’s bond with his aunt and uncle anchors his world even as the day reveals harsh truths about love, duty, and security. The chaos tests family loyalties, yet the Poulin household remains a source of protection and identity for the boy. Through pain and confusion, these family ties shape his sense of self.