The movie Ésimésac is a French-Canadian drama film based on the novel "Le Secret d'Ésimésac" by Monique Proulx. The story is set in the early 20th century in the small village of Saint-Élie-de-Caxton, located in the Quebec countryside. The protagonist of the movie is Ésimésac, a charismatic and resourceful man who is always on the lookout for ways to improve the lives of his fellow villagers.
As the movie begins, we see how the villagers of Saint-Élie-de-Caxton are struggling to survive. They barely have enough food to feed themselves and are constantly worried about their future. Ésimésac, who has a keen understanding of farming and agriculture, comes up with a plan to start a community garden where everyone can pool their resources and cultivate the land together. Initially, the villagers are skeptical of Ésimésac's plan, but he manages to convince them with his infectious enthusiasm and optimism.
As the community garden begins to flourish, Ésimésac's attention is drawn towards the prospect of a new railway line that promises to connect Saint-Élie-de-Caxton to the rest of the world. Riopel, the hulking blacksmith of the village, is working on the railway and convinces the locals to invest in his project rather than waste their time playing in the garden. He promises them that the railway will bring prosperity and abundance to the village, and they shouldn't miss out on this opportunity.
Ésimésac is torn between his loyalty to the community garden and his desire to embrace the progress that the railway promises. The conflict between the two projects comes to a head when Riopel's railway project collides with Ésimésac's garden. Riopel's work requires the villagers to cut down trees and level the land, which would destroy the garden. Ésimésac tries to persuade Riopel and the villagers to find a compromise and work together, but his attempts are met with resistance.
The movie Ésimésac explores the themes of progress, community, and the impact of modernization on traditional ways of life. Ésimésac is a charming, affable character who embodies the spirit of cooperation and collaboration. He represents a romanticized view of rural life, where people work together and live in harmony with nature. On the other hand, Riopel is a pragmatic, no-nonsense character who believes in the power of technology and progress. He represents the modern world, where efficiency and productivity are valued above all else.
Ultimately, Ésimésac's community garden is destroyed, and the railway project goes ahead. The ending of the movie is bittersweet, with the villagers experiencing the benefits of modernization but also losing a part of their heritage. The movie encourages the viewer to reflect on the complex relationship between progress and tradition and the sacrifices that are often made in the pursuit of development.
