On Earth as in Heaven

Nathalie
Saint-Pierre

Screenwriter, director, editor and film producer born in Montreal. CATIMINI, her second feature, was awarded Best film at the Festival francophone du film d’Angoulême in 2012. ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN, her third feature, had its european premiere at the 2024 Buff Malmö Film Festival where it won the Best Youth Film Award.

Clara and Sarah are sisters. That wouldn't be unusual except they live in an evangelical community on the fringe of society, entirely closed off by its own rules from the outside world. The community is in turmoil after Sarah's escape. She is viewed by the community as a defector who strayed from the Path of Truth. Not in Clara's eyes, though, whose love for her sister is so strong that she decides to find her in Montreal and bring her back onto the right and only path. The city becomes a jungle for the quiet girl, where Clara, like a timid animal, moves about confused and frightened. She finds refuge with her aunt, who, like Clara, once lost her sister. The protagonist gradually discovers a completely new world, so different from the one she has lived in until now. The film is the story of a girl embarking on a journey of self-discovery. It's a tale of the strength of sisterhood, and the power of freedom.