A few years ago, I worked as a researcher for a music radio station. The director, who was also responsible for programming the music broadcast, had learned during her studies that, as women’s voices annoy the ear, it is preferable to place songs performed by female voices between two male voices. The most disturbing thing for me, even more than the fact that this stupid rule is taught, is that a brilliant woman applies it without questioning it.
A few days before International Women’s Day, I notice that several of them have spoken out recently and that their voices, distinct and assertive, carry.
I cannot miss the appeal launched by Judith Godrèche at the opening of the César gala. After filing a complaint against directors Benoît Jacquot and Jacques Doillon, the French actress became the leading figure in denouncing sexual violence in the French cinema world. “For some time now, I have been talking, I have been talking, but I cannot hear you. Or barely. Where are you ? What do you say ? A whisper, half a word. That would already be it. » It is a call to stop being silent, to start a discussion without delay so that things can change. “You have to be wary of little girls, they hit the bottom of the pool, they get injured, but they bounce back,” she added, referring to their resilience.
That same evening, there was the sparkling victory of Monia Chokri in the category of best foreign film for Simple like Sylvainahead of Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer) and Wim Wenders (Perfect Days), and his funny, vibrant, lively speech. “Today, I can say that the life I have is greater than the one I dreamed of,” said the Quebec actress and director in a burst of radiant joy. I would like all young girls to be able to see this moment of televisual emotion, during which a woman – the only one nominated in this category -, triumphant and imperial, tastes her victory and savors it.
At Pénélope McQuade’s microphone, during an interview highlighting her 40-year career, we could hear Josée Blanchette’s tears rolling down. The star columnist of Duty expressed a legitimate and lucid sadness, which originates from the widespread inaction in the face of climate change and the shameful legacy that we are preparing for future generations. Courageous and indignant tears in response to the lack of courage of politicians and other power holders.
While driving towards Outaouais, I learned of the resignation of the mayor of Gatineau, France Bélisle. Denouncing the hostile climate, intimidation and tensions as well as the ambient toxicity, the politician laid down her arms. Admitting that we had reached the end of what we could offer and accomplish, putting self-respect ahead of self-sacrifice, we can imagine that it was heartbreaking. Other sisters in arms will take over to continue the fight.
On the evening of the inauguration of the Outaouais Book Fair, the speech by the honorary president, Léa Clermont-Dion, gave us all wings. A communicator driven by the fire of ideas and a thirst for justice which projects her into action, the author and director praised the strength of oral and written expression: “telling stories is an act of resistance to exist . […] What if saying was acting? […] Write to bring back hope where it has been extinguished. Literature allows us, in the face of turpitude, to stay the course, to understand what is going on. »
It was during this show that I met another essential voice, assumed in its necessary anger, that of the writer Michelle Lapierre-Dallaire, who has just published I ask you to close your eyes and imagine a quiet place. In the lineage of Nelly Arcan and other Marie-Sissi Labrèche, this young and great voice sculpts through writing the raw and dazzling story of the reconquest of oneself after a childhood marked by aggression. Traumawarning: it’s powerful, it hits and it upsets.
Listening to all these voices that are raised, I realize that I too am becoming more assertive, less in search of compromise, and I rejoice in it. Let us listen to this choir of female voices pierce the silence and break the omerta, because it sings the spirit of the times and announces without wavering what is to come and to be rebuilt.
Marie-Hélène Poitras signs her latest Free Style with this poignant text. His writing will now be deployed during the week in the cultural pages, as part of a column to watch every other Tuesday, from March 12.