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You Can Live Forever film image, co-directors Sarah Watts, Mark Slutsky

You Can Live Forever

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This tender coming-of-age drama, set in a Jehovah’s Witness congregation in the 90s, explores the themes of first love, sexual awakenings, and the clash of personal desires with the sense of community. The film follows Jamie as she moves in with her aunt and uncle who are part of the group. Initially wary of their close-knit community, things start to shift when she meets Marike, a charming young Witness tasked with welcoming Jamie into the fold. The two instantly hit it off and develop a strong bond that ultimately results in widespread tension, challenging the young lovers’ own principles.

Marking the feature directing debut for Sarah Watts and Mark Slutsky, the film taps beautifully into the whirlwind of emotion caused by forbidden teenage infatuation within the rigid constraints of religious conditioning. Sharply written, shot, and acted, You Can Live Forever is ultimately carried by Anwen O’Driscoll, whose nuanced, naturalistic performance gives the film its heartbeat.

 

Q&A Sept 30

 

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Directors
Cast

Anwen O’Driscoll, June Laporte, Liane Balaban, Deragh Campbell, Antoine Yared, Hasani Freeman, Tim Campbell

Credits
Country of Origin

Canada

Year

2022

Language

English

Film Contact
18+
96 min
Drama LGBTQIA2S+ Women Directors

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Credits

Executive Producer

John Christou

Producer

Robert Vroom

Screenwriter

Sarah Watts, Mark Slutsky

Cinematography

Gayle Ye

Editor

Amélie Labrèche

Production Design

André Chamberland

Original Music

CFCF

Directors

Mark Slutsky headshot, You Can Live Forever director

Photo by EK Bowell

Mark Slutsky

Mark Slutsky is an award-winning writer and director based in Montreal. His shorts Never Happened (2015) and Sorry, Rabbi (2011) both premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. In 2013, he co-directed and produced the animated short I’m One, Too! for the 44th season of Sesame Street. He also writes for video games, winning the 2021 Canadian Screen Award for Best Video Game Narrative for his work on Compulsion Games’ We Happy Few. You Can Live Forever (2022), co-written and co-directed with Sarah Watts, is his first feature.

Sarah Watts headshot, You Can Live Forever director

Photo by Kayleigh Choiniere

Sarah Watts

Sarah Watts is a writer/director from Montreal. Her previous work has been shown at Slamdance. When not making films, she works as a sports writer and editor.