Split

In a tiny house in the town of Destor, near Rouyn-Noranda on Highway 101 North, Scott, a repeat ex-con in his fifties, lives quietly with Jessie, his girlfriend 23 years his junior. He spends his time meditating and doing 3D puzzles while Jessie spends hers collecting dolphin figures, dancing to “Summer Love” and smoking weed. Wanting to make a documentary on Scott’s social reintegration, social worker Anick moves in to their house for a few days. While the shoot starts off smoothly, with several funny and touching interviews of Scott and Jessie, things quickly derail. Anick seems more interested in Jessie than Scott. The documentary’s subjectivity is quickly replaced by a growing attraction between Anick and Jessie. The continuous presence of the filmmaker in the enclosed space, coupled with the exasperation Scott feels at being constantly recorded, is causing the pressure to escalate. Scott could lose it at any time.

Directed by Lawrence Côté-Collins, Split leans on a strong ensemble — Whitney Lafleur, Marjolaine Beauchamp, Ronald Cyr — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 2016.