Ethel and the terrorist

Ethel and the Terrorist (Prix France-Québec 1965) is the prophetic story of Paul, a young French Canadian terrorist, and Ethel whom he loves. These two young people, from parochial backgrounds and impoverished districts of Montreal, are swept into the nationalist-terrorist revolt as activists on behalf of Quebec independence. As nationalim passes from the positive stage to the pathological, the bombs begin to fall and so do the victims. Paul is a murderer, wanted by the law and feared by an increasingly opportunist 'Movement' because of his love alliance which is not 'racially pure' and French: Ethel is a Je**ss. His advancement in the 'Movement' is stopped by his refusal to give up the girl and his life is in danger because he is a potential 'traitor.' Fleeing together to New York following a bombing, doubt about the motives and means of the 'Movement' creeps into Paul's mind. Ethel, who has been a victim of extreme nationalism elsewhere, is his conscience. She insists that there be no more killing. While hiding in New York they are under pressure to separate from a vengeful 'Movement' and a deadly police trap. Under these strains -- even because of them -- the mutual understanding of the young people continues to grow. The conventions of their exclusive cultures become less important, until the two stand chained by common humanity and need for each other. Giving up thought of flight to Florida and a less demanding environment, they return home ad together face the full danger and complexity of a Canadian destiny.