Set Me Free

The 13-year-old at the center of Set Me Free, Hanna grapples with puberty, identity, and independence. She moves between rural farm life and urban Montreal, absorbing conflicting loyalties and searching for a voice of her own. Her curiosity leads her to imitate Godard's Nana while trying to claim responsibility for her choices.

Hanna's father is an overbearing, loving, sometimes cruel poet who survived the Holocaust. He oscillates between tenderness and control, driving some of Hanna's discomfort and pushing conversations about life, identity, and danger. His volatile presence and storytelling shape Hanna's sense of safety and rebellion.

Hanna's mother is exhausted, depressed, and financially strained, spending long hours at a sewing factory. She both clings to her husband and seeks connection, revealing the fragility of the family unit. Her wounds and moments of care influence Hanna's understanding of love and fragility.

Grandmother in the rural home, embodying older, traditional values and pragmatic responses to hardship. Her presence anchors the family’s routines and highlights the tensions between generations. She represents the weight of family history on Hanna's world.

Grandfather in the rural setting, part of the multi-generational household that provides safety yet defines strict boundaries. His interactions reflect the authority and expectations of the older generation. He completes the firm, sometimes stifling, family framework around Hanna.

Hanna's schoolteacher who defends her against anti-Semitic taunts and encourages independence. The teacher admires Hanna's resolve but pushes her to form her own beliefs. She supports Hanna's growth and risk-taking, including exposure to cinema.

Hanna's school friend who shares moments of rebellion and affection, helping Hanna explore sexuality within a protected context. Laura's presence highlights the possibility of intimate connection and self-definition outside strict norms.

The cinematic archetype from Godard's Vivre Sa Vie that Hanna admires; Nana embodies a philosophy of personal responsibility and autonomy. Hanna uses Nana as a model for how to navigate desire and choice. Nana frames cinema as a guide to freedom.

Hanna's brother who welcomes her back to Montreal and participates in the family's daily life. He shares the challenges of rent and money, acting as a peer in Hanna's early exploration of adulthood.