Main fundraiser photo

Documentary film projectMme Thérèse

(English version below.)

Bonjour à vous,

Il y a 5 ans déjà je commençais mon tout premier projet de film documentaire sur un personnage très important du paysage underground de la Ville de Québec : Mme Thérèse. Le projet avance bien (Plusieurs heures de tournage de réalisées) mais vu que je n'ai pas droit à aucun programme de subvention, je dois en défrayer tous les coûts (équipement de tournage, recherche d'archives, déplacements, création de la musique du film etc..) qui sont souvent exhorbitants et non réalistes vu ma situation. C'est pourquoi aujourd'hui, j'ai décidé de faire appel à votre appui. À tous ceux qui ont connu de près ou de loin Mme Thérèse savent comme moi qu'il est primordial qu'elle soit immortalisée après tout l'amour qu'elle a donné. Et à tous ceux qui ne la connaissent pas, je vous ai mis le synopsis du projet plus bas pour que vous compreniez comment ce projet est important!

Je vous remercie de tout coeur pour votre aide et que grâce à vous,  un film plein d'espoir et d'amour sur une grande dame sera réalisé!

Cordialement,

Elisabeth Paradis

Voici le synopsis :

"Que ce soit par la mythique La Grande Hermine de la rue Cartier ou par son bar clandestin dans son propre appartement, Mme Thérèse fait parler d’elle depuis plus de 5 décennies dans la ville de Québec et même au-delà.

Cette femme avant-gardiste, aujourd’hui âgée de 89 ans, a souvent été décrite par les médias et les «Qu’en-dira-t-on» comme une tenancière de bordel et une criminelle récidiviste; et pourtant, l’insoumise Mme Thérèse est toujours restée fidèle à ses valeurs humanistes en ouvrant sa porte à tous sans aucune discrimination, leur offrant écoute et soutien sans jamais se soucier des ragots et faux jugements portés envers elle.

Au crépuscule de sa vie, cette travailleuse sociale de l’underground accepte pour la toute première fois de laisser entrer une caméra dans son intimité et de ceux et celles qui lui sont chers afin que son histoire, en marge du paysage de l’immaculée Capitale Nationale, ne sombre pas dans l’oubli."



Five years ago I started my first film project about a legend of the underground world of Quebec City: none other than the infamous Madame Therese, an alleged ex-Madam; a reputed owner of an unlicensed bar; an elderly citizen of Quebec city. The project has been progressing slowly but steadily, as I have already shot many hours of valuable footage.

Given the difficulty in obtaining subsidies and financial help for such independent projects, I am left to campaign and to find financing for my documentary by my lonesome. I am trying to network and connect as many resources as possible in order to push this project forward--and I still need all the help I can get.

Commonly, documentaries and film related projects are extremely costly and time consuming. Between finding the funds for equipment and gear, paying for music rights, being able to do research, or simply to pay for travel expenses adds up considerably. With this information in mind, it would be unrealistic in my current financial position to fund this documentary all on my own.

So after much consideration, I have decided to ask for the help of community at large.

For all of you who might have known in some way or another the legendary Madame Therese, or who were at some point in your lives touched by her intriguing and generous presence, I ask that you consider helping me in telling her story to a larger audience.

This is an independent artistic project with a strong, diverse female character at its center. Madame Therese has devoted much of her life to the attention of her fellow people, she has been a great mother figure to so many people of so many different backgrounds. It would be a fantastic achievement to capture her essence on film, and have her tale be explained--from her point of view especially--and of course of those closest to her.

For those perhaps less familiar with her story, here is a short synopsis that describes the project:

Whether it be through the mythical parlour and speak easy club “La Grande Hermine” on Cartier Street some thirty years ago, or through her clandestine basement bar in her own house, Madame Therese has been known throughout and without the walls of Quebec city now for over five decades.

This avant guarde and controversial business woman, today 89 years old, is still an anti-conformist today. Therese has been ridiculed for her unusual lifestyle in the media on multiple occasions, up until just recently in fact. She has been described as a madam (brothel keeper), a recidivist criminal, and illegal bar owner who at times has been considered a dangerous criminal.

Contrary to expectation and as a testament to her fortitude and righteousness, Madame Therese has kept her unconventional lifestyle open and visible, and she has operated her businesses without an ounce of shame nor fear. She has defended herself often, claiming that she has always been motivated by a humanist duty that prevented her from ever discriminating or judging whomever might have walked through her door, no matter the place, the venue nor the bar. Often considered a mother figure for many, or at the very least a kind ear that listened, she has left an indelible mark on those that keep her image.

Always marching to the beat of her own drum, Madame Therese has agreed for the first time in her life to let cameras into her home and let someone recount the tale of these past years, years she considers time doing social work.

Let us not let the immaculate image of the National Capital change the backdrop of this peculiar story, and let’s embrace the humanity of these very many truths. And perhaps most importantly, let’s not let Madame Therese’s story be forgotten, for it remains part of our story as well.

Sincerly yours,

Elisabeth Paradis


Organizer

Elisabeth Paradis
Organizer
Verdun, QC

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