SYNOPSIS

[EN] Based on a true story in Depression-era California, 13-year-old Betty Cooley copes by escaping into her imagination through books, drawing, and school. Burdened with caring for her sisters and her mother forcing her to sacrifice school for work, she longs for a life beyond the confines of her impoverished home. Everything changes when she uncovers a mysterious jar that she believes holds the power to make her mother stop being so mean. As Betty's defiance of her circumstances grows, and her thirst for truth is piqued, her veil of innocence is lifted. She learns about the painful experiences endured by the women in her family, the exploitative nature of powerful figures like the local landowner, Mr. Hoover, and the realization that her father is not the hero she believed he was. Guided by her wise Nana, Betty learns her mother is not cruel, but having to make impossible and painful decisions of her own. When she realizes the jar is not magic, but rather a long-held reminder of shame, Betty sheds her naivety and begins to find her voice. By standing up for herself, Betty also empowers the women in her family to heal from their past traumas. She discovers a newfound sense of agency, embracing storytelling as her path to resilience and self-expression in a world that has tried to silence her.

GÉNÉRIQUE

• Réalisation

  Michelle West

• Production

  Michelle West

• Référent(e)

  Michelle West

• Vente

  Michelle West