Marie's Story

Marie's Story (Marie Heurtin) is a 2014 French biographical film directed by Jean-Pierre Améris and written by Améris and Philippe Blasband. It is based on the true story of Marie Heurtin (1885–1921), a girl who was born deafblind in late 19th century France. The film won the Variety Piazza Grande Award at the 67th Locarno International Film Festival.

Story
In 1885, Marie Heurtin, the daughter of a humble artisan and his wife, is born deaf and blind and unable to communicate with the world around her. Desperate to find a connection with Marie and avoid sending her to an asylum, the Heurtins send her to the Larnay Institute in central France, where an order of Catholic nuns manage a school for deaf girls. There, the idealistic Sister Marguerite sees in Marie a unique potential and, despite her Mother Superior's skepticism, vows to bring the wild girl out of the darkness into which she was born.

Background
Marie's Story is based on the true story of Marie Heurtin, who continued her education at the institute and lived there until her death at the age of 36.

Cast

 * Ariana Rivoire as Marie Heurtin
 * Isabelle Carré as Sister Marguerite
 * Brigitte Catillon as Mother Superior
 * Noémie Churlet as Sister Raphaëlle
 * Gilles Treton as Monsieur Heurtin
 * Laure Duthilleul as Madame Heurtin
 * Martine Gautier as Sister Véronique
 * Patricia Legrand as Sister Joseph
 * Sonia Laroze as Sister Elisabeth
 * Valérie Leroux as Sister Blandine
 * Fany Buy as Sister Marthe
 * Noémie Bianco as Sister Anne
 * Eline De Lorenzi as Sister Clothilde
 * Tiphaine Rabaud Fournier as Sister Marie-Ange

Production
Shooting for the filming took place in Ain – including Montluel and Hauteville-Lompnes – as well as in Isère.