Séraphin: Heart of Stone

Séraphin: un homme et son péché (English title: Séraphin: Heart of Stone) is a Quebec film released in 2002. The script is based on a novel by Claude-Henri Grignon. The film won six Prix Jutra for Best Actor (Lebeau), Brst Actress (Vanasse), Cinematography, Art Direction, Musical Score and Sound. An earlier film, Un homme et son péché, based on the same novel, was released in 1950.

Plot

In a small Quebec community at the end of the 19th century, due to her father's financial hardships, Donalda Laloge (Vanasse) is forced to marry the village miser (also the mayor), Séraphin Poudrier (Lebeau), and to leave behind the young man that she truly loves. Her beloved, Alexis (Dupuis), returns from working at the lumber camps, unaware of these events.

Donalda is extremely unhappy living with Séraphin, as his miserly lifestyle is often at the expense of her personal well-being. This includes refusing to father children, and severely rationing meals. Donalda becomes very sick with a pneumonia-like illness. Alexis returns home meanwhile, and his realizing of the situation sparks tension among the villagers. Donalda dies from the disease shortly after his arrival. During Donalda's funeral, Séraphin realizes his home is on fire. He panics and runs into the blaze, succumbing to the flames as he attempts to save his wealth. Alexis pulls him out of the burning house. The villagers pry open Séraphin's hands, which are revealed to have been clutching coins.

External links

• Séraphin: un homme et son péché at the Internet Movie Database
• (French) Un homme et son péché Official web site (Alliance Atlantis Vivafilm)
• (French) Régie du Cinéma Québec: Séraphin: un homme et son péché