CUTTING THE CORD

Cutting the Cord tackles universal questions such as the search for identity, the weight of traditions, and the courage to follow one’s own path. But it is also a story of successful integration. Sarah was born in Montreal to parents who immigrated from Algeria. She is especially close to her mother, whose efforts to balance her attachment to her cultural roots with her daughter’s aspirations are central to the film.

Sarah is also fortunate to be surrounded by a circle of childhood friends, thanks to the stability provided by the social housing complex where they grew up as neighbors—a community that fosters solidarity.

The film therefore sparks rich discussions and reflections on many themes: intergenerational transmission and cultural gaps experienced by all families, but especially by second-generation immigrants; the mother-daughter dynamic, or more broadly parent-child relationships; youth mental health and the importance of friendship as a support network; the key role of sport in  Sarah’s life and how girls relate to athletics; and finally, how Habitations Jeanne-Mance, a social housing complex that also provides community activities and social services, has supported Sarah’s family in their integration journey.

Several screenings of the film will be followed by discussions where these issues can be explored with the filmmakers—or even with Sarah herself. They will also be further developed in educational materials and discussion guides designed for both community and institutional settings.