L’ENFANT D’ EN HAUT/ SISTER

France, 2012,
Lea Seydoux, Kacey Motter Klein, Martin Compston, Gillian Anderson,
Directed by Ursula Meier.

While the English title, Sister, focuses on the character, Louise, played by Lea Seydoux, it is only towards the end of the film that we are surprised at its meaning and significance. However, with the focus on 12 year old Simon throughout the whole film, the French title seems more appropriate.

Simon is a precocious 12 year old, played with skill, a blend of duplicity and naivety, by Kacey Motter Klein. He spends his days at the top of the mountains, pilfering skiers’ clothes, gloves and helmets, and some food, while downright stealing expensive skis. Some things he gives to his sister, others he sells to the local kids in the valley. He, and they, have no conscience about stealing, no sense of scruple. At first, Simon’s activities might rouse some misplaced amusement from the audience, for many it will be irritation at the emphasis on the details of his actions.

But the film grows on the audience as we see Simon and Louise together, he more responsible at home than she, who can’t hold a job and seems interested only in boyfriends their cars and a good time. She depends on Simon for some ready cash as well as some clothes.

The two people that Simon comes into contact with on top are a Scots cook as a restaurant (Martin Compston) who eventually connives in the ski stealing and hiding, and Gillian Anderson a mother who befriends Simon only to be disillusioned by him.

What is going to happen to him? Will he have a different life in any way or simply grow from being a little criminal to and adult one? The film offers some hope in the relationship between Louise and Simon, the need for love on the part of each of them. After a night on the mountain when the tourists and workers have packed up, there is a symbolic last moment as two cable cars pass each other, Louise in one, going up for Simon, and he, after time to think, is coming down to home.

1. The story of a brother and sister? The relationships, mutual help, challenge?

2. The Alpine town, the mountain and peaks, skiing tracks? The chalets? The low lands, the roads, cars? Homes? Shops? Children playing? Musical score?

3. The French title and the focus on Simon? The English title and the focus on Louise? The relative importance?

4. Life in the town, the visitors and tourists, services? On the top, the skiers, the gear, the chalets, the sport?

5. The portrait of Simon, his age, his relationship with Louise, no parental supervision? On the mountain, stealing the skis and other equipment, clothing, food? No conscience? Coming down, the other children and getting the skis, payment, using the gear? His relationship with Louise, her behaviour? At home, his taking more responsibility? The encounter with the Scots cook, caught, involving him in his activities, friendship, each using the other? The encounter with the mother, her family, the friendship, her not being able to trust Simon?

6. The portrait of Louise, her age, experience, with Simon, home, not holding down a job, drifting, boyfriends, cars, going off and disappearing? Simon and his attempt at some kind of order and control? The result of her experiences, change of heart?

7. Supporting characters, the children in the town, the stolen gear, their using it, games? The Scots cook, at the chalets, his work, the stealing, becoming involved, his activities? The tourist families, the mother and children, the encounter with Simon, the relationship, her being disappointed?

8. A European story – a universal story about the younger generation, their lives, challenges, dependence – and the end with Simon going down to real life in the town while Louise was going up to the top of the mountain?