Bérénice is a mediator specializing in restorative justice. She facilitates meetings between criminals and their victims, and strongly believes in the benefits of this approach. However, it will be difficult for him to convince his friends that such a process could help them make peace with a terrible tragedy that occurred 25 years ago.
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Written by Chantal Cadieux, the series My fault stars Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin as Bérénice. “After Another storyI paused and asked myself what I would like to say. The series is not a sequel to the film They were fivewhich I wrote a long time ago, but I was thinking about this plot, about the big dramas that we can experience and I wondered what happens when the assassins leave prison, after 20 or 25 years. Are they still dangerous? Has prison hardened them, or are they repentant? It was by asking myself these questions that I arrived at the notion of restorative justice. I find it a beautiful concept, a process of mediation between two people who are completely opposite, so that they feel better. This is the basis of my new series,” explains the author.
25 years later
At the start of the series, Bérénice and her two best friends, Marie-Dominique and Lysanne (Jessica Barker and Cynthia Wu Maheux) come together to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of Vania (Lou Thompson), their great friend, who died in tragic circumstances. “The tragedy occurred in 1999. Bérénice and her friends had rented a chalet to celebrate the end of their studies. Marie-Dominique, Lysanne, Vania and Rémi (Dany Boudreault)her new lover, were present. David (Maxim Gaudette)Vania’s former boyfriend, did not accept the breakup. He followed them to the chalet, where he did the irreparable,” says Chantal Cadieux.
In addition to killing Vania, David seriously injured Rémi. The latter, once a great athlete, has lost the use of his legs and arms, and uses a wheelchair. This tragedy united the small group. Marie-Dominique is even in a relationship with Rémi, for whom she is as much a lover as a caregiver. “We imagine that the first years were very difficult, but Rémi feels neither resentment nor desire for revenge. He even says that if the tragedy had not happened, his life would not be as pleasant as it is today. He and Marie-Dominique own a microbrewery and have a 16-year-old daughter, Zoé. (Jasmine Lemée). Rémi continued his studies in science, and chemistry helps him in the development of his beers,” explains Chantal Cadieux. Lysanne works with them and takes care of all graphic design mandates. In addition, she is always available when Marie-Dominique cannot take care of Rémi.
The hero of the day
At the start of the series, David has been out of prison for two years. He was sentenced to 25 years and granted parole. Rémi, his victim, was informed, but in the group, the name David is almost taboo, and we prefer to act as if he did not exist. However, friends can no longer continue to deny his existence when the media announce that the ex-inmate has just performed a heroic gesture.
Opening
The 1999 drama continues to color the lives of Bérénice and her friends. It is no coincidence that the latter, who trained as a social worker, chose to specialize in restorative justice. She has always considered this approach to be very positive and is now witness to its benefits. Of course, such a process can take years, and meetings do not take place every day. Bérénice takes the time to ensure that the criminals and victims who will come face to face are well prepared. She never takes sides and is highly appreciated for her human qualities. She works with Sylvain (Sacha Charles).
“Bérénice is single. She finds it very difficult to commit; she prefers to have brief affairs. This is one of the after-effects of the tragedy she experienced. Sylvain has a partner and two children. He and Bérénice are very close,” mentions Chantal Cadieux.
When Bérénice hears David Fraser’s name mentioned again, she believes that a restorative justice process could be initiated to allow Rémi, her friends and her to turn the page. She believes in it so much that she comes back frequently
to the load. She senses a certain openness on the part of Rémi and Marie-Dominique, but Lysanne is totally closed to the idea and never wants to hear about it again.
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