Burn to Shine by Patricia Allio

Following last year’s performances of the acclaimed solo performance ‘Autoportrait à ma Grand-Mère’ (Self-Portrait to My Grandmother) which recounted a deeply moving journey through Breton history and politics through a woman’s relationship to her Breton-speaking grandmother, ArtHouse Jersey is delighted to present an extraordinary new film work by artist Patricia Allio.

This ‘docu-fiction’ is a meditation through history, queerness and Breton language and culture located around the mystical and religious history of the village of Saint-Jean-du-Doigt in Finisterre and its surrounding landscapes.

Yves crosses the centuries and returns to the small village of Saint-Jean-du Doigt. During his wanderings, he meets a shaman in touch with the spirits, a painter in search of the light, a storyteller who initiates him into the secrets of traditional Breton songs, and a mystic who tells him about the forgiveness of Saint John. Queen Anne of Brittany and her knight join him in his quest and reveal to him the mysteries of his origin.

Through these encounters, including that with the painter Ricardo Cavallo, drawing on dance, music and performance, the film brings to burning life a very human meditation through time, language, memory and ritual from this tiny village, its church and the Finisterre landscape.

Followed by a post-screening discussion with Patrica Allio.