The first snowflakes, letters to Santa, friends, the beginning of school. All stages that each person goes through in their life are often associated with the wonder of novelty.
It is this feeling of wonder that the directors wanted to highlight by filming their documentary at the height of their children.
“We really wanted to immerse ourselves in their world. By filming at their height, it’s as if we were one of their friends. It creates a feeling more intimate,” says Olivier Higgins.
Sitting in a café in Old Quebec, the filmmakers explained to the Soleil the whole journey that led them to make this documentary.
As young parents, they wondered how society would influence their children’s perception of life and values. Lacking answers, they concluded that the best way to understand their offspring was to put themselves in their shoes.
“Our big philosophical question as parents and later as filmmakers is: how do we tell our children about life,” explains Mélanie Carrier.
“Without an answer to that question, we said, ‘Let’s get down to their level.’ Let’s remember what it’s like to be a kid. We’ve all been there. This idea of being at their eye level. […] “It’s an immersion into their world,” she adds.
Over a period of three years, we can follow the journey of Émile and Béatrice, the children of the couple, who settled in Charlesbourg.
Émile during a scene filmed in his primary school. (MO FILMS)
Rediscovering wonder
Although the documentary is an immersion into the lives of children, the filmmakers confirm that the film can also appeal to adults.
“We feel the adult universe behind the child […] their concerns as a parent,” explains Olivier.
But behind the worry, wonder can also be reborn by revisiting the precious moments of childhood that the film highlights.
“We have a nostalgia for wonder. How can adults rediscover a little of this wonder?” asks Mélanie.
Olivier Higgins and Mélanie Carrier with their children Émile and Béatrice. (Lise Breton)
After watching the film, the filmmakers hope that viewers will not only think that children’s perception of reality is important, but also that this naive and innocent view of reality can continue to exist even as adults.
Children involved
If you ask Émile and Béatrice about their parents’ film, they will most likely answer that it is in fact their film.
From day one of this adventure, Mélanie and Olivier wanted to involve their children in all stages of the creative process.
“We involved them a lot in the project. They participated in the filming, the editing, Émile chose the title, Béatrice chose all the typography of the film, it’s hers.”
— Melanie Carrier
The filmmakers explain that the film has brought many benefits to their two children.
“Émile recently told us that for him it was like a time machine. He sees himself as a child and he sees how far he has come,” adds Mélanie.
At child’s height will be presented at the closing of the Quebec Film Festival on Sunday. It will be released in theaters on September 20.
