Rural Quebec, 1960s: a group of Catholic nuns faces the terrors of modernity. Vatican II has turned the altar around to face the congregation and stopped conducting mass in Latin, the State is slowly taking control over education and health, and Sister Augustine’s (Céline Bonnier) brand of Christian socialism—making the wealthy parents pay for the poor students—is wearing thin. It’s winter, and the heat is turned low, the porridge is served cold, and a long-standing priest is stepping down and retiring to Florida. Things are not looking well.

Then life walks through the door in the form of Augustine’s niece, Alice Champagne (Lysandre Ménard), a gifted musician and a potential counter-culture rabble-rouser. Augustine’s convent is known for producing award-winning musicians, but Champagne could be the best of the bunch—if she can suppress her predilections for giving Bach a jazzy swing. Champagne needs discipline and focus; Augustine needs a breath of fresh air. Looks like they found each other at the right time.

Sisters and students banding together through music to save a convent sure sound familiar, but The Passion of Augustine is fun enough to make it feel fresh. Writer/director Léa Pool directs her movie with an eye for detail—the day-to-day activities of a Catholic school are astute—but it is how Pool works just enough whimsy to give the movie an effervescent feel. It’s just the sort of movie that smears a smile on your face and plants a song in your heart.

The Passion of Augustine (2015)
Directed by Léa Pool
Written by Marie Vien, Léa Pool
Produced by Lyse Lafontaine, François Tremblay
Starring: Céline Bonnier, Lysandre Ménard
Entertainment One, Not rated, Running time 103 minutes, Opened March 20, 2015

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The above blurb first appeared in the pages of Boulder Weekly Vol. 23, No. 31, “BIFF returns with an impressive lineup.”