Director Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette and scriptwriter Renée Beaulieu plunge deep into the heart of one of Montreal’s most beleaguered neighborhoods. Pacing up and down the streets of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, the camera trails a boy who is being prematurely forced to leave childhood behind. With a drug-addicted mother, a criminal father and siblings who have turned to drug dealing and promiscuity, the alert and willful 12-year old lives in an environment of misery and abandonment. Only his adoration of a costumed wrestler named Firestorm and his friendship with a good-natured but mysterious homeless guy give his life some semblance of joy. The remarkable energy and humanity in The Fight is due in large part to the strong nature of the young actor Maxime Desjardins-Tremblay, who himself grew up in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. It is also due to the audacious directing—reminiscent of Ken Loach—that stays glued to the character, looking deep into his eyes to see the reflection of his surrounding world. This debut film, as generous as it is passionate and troubling, marks the discovery of a filmmaker with a new and unique vision.

Written by Renée Beaulieu. Photographed by Philippe Lavalette. With Maxime Desjardins-Tremblay, Julianne Côte, Maxime Dumontier, Jason Roy-Léveillée (87 min, Christal Films Distribution).