“We feel the souls,” confides Mylène Mackay about the very murky, yet captivating, series Crows. On screen, the latter plays Gabrielle Blanchette, a solitary investigator, “monomaniac, obsessive, intense” just assigned to Quebec City on the North Shore, who must, to prove herself, team up with the respected Clémence Bernier.
“The duality between the youngest and the oldest, this idea of a transfer of knowledge really appealed to me,” says Pascale Bussières, who lends her features to this experienced police officer. A form of female solidarity is then born before the eyes of the public. “Their dynamic is interesting because these two women learn from each other,” adds her accomplice. It is therefore hand in hand that the pair will become accustomed to each other as they try to solve a succession of despicable murders.
As in reality, the fictional Gabrielle Blanchette and Clémence Bernier must, moreover, constantly demonstrate their abilities. “Probably more than their male colleagues,” underlines Mylène Mackay.
For Pierre-Louis Sanschagrin, the creator and screenwriter of the series, the place of women is, in fact, inscribed in the DNA of the project. For example, Clémence Bernier is portrayed – in a healthy way, it must be said – in Crows as a careerist woman, totally dedicated to her work. “It’s rare that we see this type of female character without her role being centered on a family. Here, it is his partner who awaits his return, reversing a dynamic that we often find in series,” mentions Pierre-Louis Sanschagrin.
And Crows is directed by Stéphane Lapointe, Pierre-Louis Sanschagrin also wanted to be surrounded by female colleagues in the process, including Marie-Ève Bourassa, who participated in the writing of two episodes, and script-editor Alexia Bouchard Craig. “These collaborations enriched the series and reassured me about the accuracy of what we were tackling,” he believes. Domestic violence, sexual assault, femicide… we could not make a mistake in dealing with these satellite challenges. Obviously, during the press meeting, the team wants to raise the issue. “Every day we talk about it, it’s heartbreaking, but it’s essential,” adds Pascale Bussières, while Mylène Mackay is particularly sensitive and committed to violence against women. “We are still talking about cycles of violence that are difficult to break and are still very present: we see it in the news, the aggressors remain in a position of power. »
Chilling atmosphere
As a backdrop to an already powerful narrative, Pierre-Louis Sanschagrin was inspired by a mysterious Quebec news item (which he will not reveal more about during the press meeting) and peppered his scenario with nods to the series essential police officers. But not only that. “We tackled a classic format, but I wanted to bring a different touch to it with genre series in mind, like Stranger Thingswhich make us feel strong emotions. » By integrating the codes of horror films, the supernatural, and even references to Stephen King, the bet is successful. “These elements allow us to explore other dimensions than those of a simple crime to be solved,” he explains. The first episode of Crowswith the scene where Gabrielle Blanchette has a chance encounter with a medium, illustrates this desire in particular. “It plays with the blurred areas between rational and irrational, which I find fascinating,” says Mylène Mackay. Captivating, really.
Viewers can thus enjoy the many tributes — The birds d’Hitchcock, True Detective, Dexteretc. — as much as Mylène Mackay took pleasure in exploring a new universe for her. To prepare, she devoured series like Mare of Easttownwith a very inspiring Kate Winslet. “In this role, she is detached from anything superficial. She embodies raw, realistic, uncompromising strength. It impressed me,” she recalls. For Pascale Bussières, it was Peter Falk who served as inspiration. “I went there a bit like Columbo, with his little lines and his lucidity, and who notes and records everything that happens. » Same thing for The Fallwith Gillian Anderson, “which combines horror, crime and a very complex character psychology,” she continues.
Pierre-Louis Sanschagrin is finally delighted to watch Crows come to life thanks to a predominantly female cast. “Certain scenes had a profound impact on me. Seeing the performances of the actresses gives an even stronger emotional resonance to the themes discussed,” he concludes.
