In the Bélier family, everyone is deaf, except dutiful sixteen-year-old Paula (newcomer Louane Emera). She acts as an indispensable interpreter for her parents and younger brother, especially in the running of the family dairy farm.

Though her salt-of-the-earth father has decided to run for mayor – spurred on by her vivacious but over-involved mother – Paula's attentions are very much elsewhere. She's witnessed the handsome new boy at school sign up for the choir, and impulsively joined too. It's not long before her music teacher (Éric Elmosnino) discovers her considerable talent, however his encouragement only exacerbates the matter of Paula's independence…

Building to a heart-soaring and emotional finale, La Famille Bélier is a feel-great triumph. Emera, making her screen debut after being discovered on the French edition of The Voice, is a genuine revelation – she lends both sincerity and joy to this deeply moving film that has been a word-of-mouth phenomenon across Europe, France's most popular film of 2015.

Director
Éric Lartigau

Date of release
2014

Running time
106 min

Country of origin
France | Belgium

Language
French/Spanish/Sign language (English subtitles)

Cert 12