
And Breathe Normally
2018

2019
Director
Geneviève Dulude-De Celles
Runtime
103 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
Camille wanders through the countryside talking with frogs and chickens: she sails through life as a carefree soul. But for her older sister, the introverted Mylia, things are more complicated. Mylia is lost between the uncertainty in her family life, the superficial atmosphere at her new school and her first experiences at house parties. It is Camille who eventually introduces Mylia to Jimmy. The boy from the nearby Abenaki reserve is different and he encourages her to break free.
Overall Score
Good
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film lacks explicit depictions of LGBTQ+ identities or non-heteronormative romance. The story focuses on sisterly bonds and the connection between Mylia and Jimmy. However, the themes of uncertainty suggest a potential for identity exploration.
Gender Representation
The narrative prioritizes female agency and the internal lives of women. By centering Camille and Mylia, the film avoids male-centric coming-of-age tropes. It emphasizes female emotional and intellectual autonomy.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The film shows high intentionality regarding ethnic representation. Jimmy, a character from an Abenaki reserve, serves as a vital catalyst for the protagonist. This inclusion disrupts a homogeneous adolescent experience.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The story contrasts carefree nature with superficial social realities. Jimmy’s role suggests a critique of social conformity. This provides an exploration of the friction between different cultural or systemic realities.
Disability Representation
There is no evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. The narrative does not address these specific representations.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
A Colony is a nuanced character study that moves away from traditional coming-of-age tropes. It succeeds by centering female emotional landscapes and integrating meaningful Indigenous presence into the central arc. The inclusion of an Abenaki character provides a necessary disruption to standard Western adolescent narratives. This relationship serves as a tool for the protagonist to break free from superficial social norms. While the film lacks explicit LGBTQ+ content or disability representation, its focus on intersectional identity and social belonging creates a more complex portrait of youth than typical genre entries.

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