Apnea (2017)
A quiet, emotionally charged Canadian short film about recovery, fractured trust, and the struggle to resurface after falling apart.
Apnea - Movie Information
- Original Title: Apnée
- Release Year: 2017
- Directed by: Alexis Chartrand
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 7, 2017 (United States)
- Production Companies: On est 10
- Production Countries: Canada
Apnea - Plot
After her fall, Sophie is aiming to the surface, but she's unable to trust her entourage anymore.
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Apnea - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Alexis Chartrand
Main Cast
- Alexa-Jeanne Dubé
- Guillaume Laurin
- Marie-France Marcotte
- Camille Mongeau
- Jade-Mariuka Robitaille
- Maurice Chartrand
Writers
- Alexis Chartrand
Producers
- Caroline Galipeau
Apnea - FAQs
What is Apnea about?
Apnea follows Sophie, a young woman trying to recover and resurface after a significant fall. Struggling to trust the people around her, she faces an internal battle that mirrors the sensation of holding one's breath underwater — desperate to break through but uncertain of what waits above.
Is Apnea a short film?
Yes, Apnea is a short film. Produced in Canada under the banner of On est 10, it's a compact, emotionally focused work that uses its brief runtime to deliver a quietly intense portrait of mental fragility and the difficulty of rebuilding trust after trauma.
Where can you watch Apnea online?
You can find streaming and viewing options for Apnea on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Options may vary depending on your location, so it's worth checking there for the most up-to-date information on where to watch.
Who plays Sophie in Apnea?
Sophie is played by Alexa-Jeanne Dubé, who anchors the film's emotional core. Her performance carries the weight of a character caught between the desire to heal and an inability to lean on the people closest to her — a delicate balance that defines the film's quiet tension.
Who directed and wrote Apnea?
Alexis Chartrand both wrote and directed Apnea, and also served as the film's editor — giving the project a distinctly personal, unified vision. The film was produced by Caroline Galipeau and shot by cinematographer Léna Mill-Reuillard, with music composed by Eric Shaw.
What themes does Apnea explore?
Apnea digs into themes of mental health, trust, and the painful process of recovery. The title itself — meaning breathlessness or the suspension of breath — works as a metaphor for Sophie's emotional state: submerged, struggling, and searching for a way back to the surface of her own life.
What are some films similar to Apnea?
If Apnea resonates with you, films like Helen (2009) and David and Lisa (1962) explore similar emotional terrain around mental health and human connection. For short film fans, The Neighbors' Window (2019) and Curfew (2012) offer comparably intimate, character-driven storytelling in a compact format.
When and where was Apnea released?
Apnea was released on June 7, 2017, in the United States. The film is a Canadian production, originally titled Apnée, and was made in French — reflecting its Québécois roots and the intimate, culturally specific world it inhabits.
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