This Is Our Land

This Is Our Land 2018

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This Is Our Land Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for This Is Our Land (2018). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


Pauline, a devoted home nurse, lives in a quaint village in northern France’s Pas-de-Calais region with her children, Tom and Lili, as well as her father, Jacques Duhez, a retired worker and former member of the French Communist Party. Relying solely on her salary to support her working-class family adds an air of urgency to her daily struggles. Known for her compassionate nature, Pauline has gained a reputation as a kind and empathetic caregiver who is beloved by her patients.

One day, Dr. Philippe Berthier, a right-wing physician associated with the French Communist Party, approaches Pauline with an intriguing proposition from Agnès Dorgelle, the leader of a nationalist party. She has endorsed Pauline as a candidate for mayor, stating that her exceptional qualities as a nurse and her ability to connect with the community make her the ideal choice.

As Pauline’s journey progresses, she encounters Stéphane Stankowiak, an old school acquaintance who also coaches her son’s soccer team. Unbeknownst to her, Stéphane is entangled with a group of skinheads but is trying to separate himself from them to protect Pauline’s campaign. Dr. Berthier, however, threatens to reveal Stéphane’s past connections to Dorgelle’s party if he continues his relationship with Pauline, adding yet another layer of tension.

When Pauline informs her father, Jacques, about her decision to run, he is horrified and adamantly declares he cannot support a child who may align with fascist ideals. This decision splits the community starkly: conservative patients rally around her while progressive supporters withdraw. Among her friends, division simmers as the racist Nathalie Leclerc joins her campaign to sabotage it with misinformation, while Nada Belisha, a French woman of Slavic descent, accuses her of being a mere puppet for extremists.

With rising concerns for her safety, Stéphane takes proactive steps by discreetly engaging reliable friends to keep watch over her. However, chaos erupts when skinheads violently attack a protestor, leaving her gravely injured. In a desperate bid to help, Pauline faces hostility from nearby residents more concerned with their own affairs than the violence occurring before them.

Feeling increasingly isolated from her father, friends, and patients, Pauline seeks advice from Berthier, as the physical distance from Stéphane grows. During this turmoil, she uncovers Stéphane’s troubling history with violence, forcing her to confront that he may be intertwined with the worsening conflicts surrounding her. As her political dreams crumble and her personal relationships fray, Pauline makes the heart-wrenching decision to leave the party behind in favor of her feelings for Stéphane.

In her quest for comfort, Pauline reintegrates with Jacques and shares joyful moments with her loved ones, including an outing to the stadium with her children and Stéphane. The atmosphere is vibrant and filled with laughter, a temporary escape from their woes. However, the joy turns bittersweet when Stéphane unknowingly allows Lili to view photos he took with his friends—images that reveal an alarming narrative of aggression towards refugees.

Infuriated by this shocking discovery, Pauline confronts Stéphane with her fury, brutally unleashing her anger until Jacques and the children intervene. They navigate her back home, where the stark realities of Stéphane’s past and present loom ominously, threatening to dismantle everything she believed about their bond.

This Is Our Land Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of This Is Our Land (2018) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Pauline's Life as a Nurse

Pauline is a dedicated home nurse living in a picturesque village in northern France. Her job is her sole support for her working-class family, which includes her two children, Tom and Lili, along with her father, Jacques.

Pas-de-Calais, France

The Proposition from Dr. Berthier

Dr. Philippe Berthier approaches Pauline with an unexpected opportunity to run for mayor, backed by the influential nationalist party leader Agnès Dorgelle. He believes her experience as a compassionate caregiver and her strong ties to the community make her an excellent candidate.

Meeting Stéphane

While navigating her new mayoral candidacy, Pauline reconnects with Stéphane Stankowiak, an old friend and her son’s soccer coach. Unbeknownst to Pauline, Stéphane is embroiled with skinheads, complicating their friendship and her campaign.

Confrontation with Jacques

When Pauline shares her decision to run for mayor with her father, Jacques reacts with shock and horror. His disapproval stems from Pauline's potential association with political extremism, generating tension and division within their family.

Community Division

The announcement of Pauline’s candidacy causes a rift in the community. Conservative patients rally around her while progressive supporters withdraw, fearing she may be compromising their values through her association with the nationalist party.

Rising Tensions and Sabotage

As her campaign progresses, Pauline faces hostility from individuals like Nathalie Leclerc, who spreads misinformation to sabotage her efforts. Meanwhile, Nada Belisha accuses her of being a puppet for extremist agendas, intensifying the campaign's challenges.

Stéphane’s Vigilance

Concerns for Pauline’s safety increase as tensions rise around her campaign. Stéphane steps in to protect her, recruiting trusted friends to keep a watchful eye on her amidst the growing threats from the skinhead group.

Violent Attack

Chaos erupts when skinheads launch an attack on a protestor, resulting in serious injuries for the individual involved. Pauline is caught in the crossfire, facing indifference from onlookers more concerned with their own lives than the violence unfolding.

Seeking Guidance

As Pauline feels increasingly isolated from her family and friends, she reaches out to Dr. Berthier for advice. During this turbulent period, she learns unsettling truths about Stéphane’s violent past, forcing her to reevaluate their relationship.

Emotional Departure from Politics

Overwhelmed by the turmoil in her personal life and her political aspirations, Pauline makes the painful decision to step away from the party. Her feelings for Stéphane, once a source of strength, complicate her stance on the political unrest surrounding her.

Reconnecting with Family

In search of solace, Pauline reconnects with her father and children, enjoying a rare moment of happiness during an outing to the stadium. This time spent together highlights the importance of family amidst the chaos surrounding her life.

Stadium

Shocking Discovery

The joy of the outing turns to horror when Pauline discovers alarming photos of Stéphane with his friends, which reveal their aggressive stance towards refugees. This revelation shatters her trust and complicates their relationship even further.

Confrontation with Stéphane

Furious about the images of aggression, Pauline confronts Stéphane, unleashing her pent-up anger. The escalating argument draws the intervention of Jacques and the children, as they struggle to manage the situation borne from betrayal and pain.

Returning Home

After the confrontation, Pauline is led back home by her father and children, showcasing the fracturing of her relationships and the heaviness of unresolved issues. The difficult journey back highlights the tension between her political struggles and personal life.

Looming Doubts

As Pauline navigates her way through the aftermath of her decisions, she is left with profound doubts about her relationships with Stéphane, her community, and her own values. The weight of the situation threatens to unravel the bonds she once held dear.

This Is Our Land Characters

Explore all characters from This Is Our Land (2018). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Pauline Duhez (Émilie Dequenne)

Pauline is a devoted home nurse, embodying compassion and resilience. Her strong desire to support her family drives her towards a tumultuous political path, as she grapples with the implications of her candidacy for mayor. As the story unfolds, her idealism clashes with harsh realities, forcing her to confront difficult choices about her relationships and beliefs.

💪 Strong-willed 🏥 Caregiver 💔 Torn

Philippe Berthier (André Dussollier)

Dr. Philippe Berthier is a right-wing physician entangled in political complexities. His initial support of Pauline's campaign stems from strategic interests, but his methods reveal a darker side as he threatens to unveil secrets that could harm her. Berthier represents the morally ambiguous influences of politics.

⚖️ Manipulative 📈 Ambitious 🏥 Doctor

Stéphane Stankowiak (Guillaume Gouix)

Stéphane is a former schoolmate who becomes entangled in Pauline's life, symbolizing both hope and danger. His past affiliations with extremist groups contrast sharply with his desire to support Pauline’s political ambitions. His character serves as a catalyst for tension, highlighting the blurred lines between love, loyalty, and the consequences of past choices.

🔗 Troubled ❤️ Supportive ⚡ Conflict

Jacques Duhez (Patrick Descamps)

Jacques is Pauline's father, a retired worker with strong convictions shaped by his history in the French Communist Party. His disapproval of Pauline's political pursuits reflects generational divides and complicates their relationship, as he struggles to reconcile familial loyalty with ideological beliefs.

🗣️ Opinionated 👴father figure ⚒️ Working-class

This Is Our Land Settings

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Time period

While the specific time period is not stated, the film reflects contemporary societal issues, including political polarization and the challenges faced by working-class individuals in modern France. The story addresses themes relevant to current political climates and the ongoing struggle against extremism and division.

Location

Pas-de-Calais, Northern France

The story unfolds in a quaint village in the Pas-de-Calais region of Northern France, known for its picturesque landscape and small-town charm. This area symbolizes the struggles of working-class families, reflected in Pauline's life as a home nurse. It is a close-knit community where relationships and political affiliations deeply impact daily life.

🇫🇷 France 🏡 Village 🏥 Healthcare

This Is Our Land Themes

Discover the main themes in This Is Our Land (2018). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


🏛️

Politics

The film explores the complexities of political affiliation and the impact of nationalism on individual lives. Pauline's candidacy highlights the tension between her personal values and the political landscape, showcasing the community's split loyalties. As Pauline navigates her new role, the challenges of maintaining one's integrity in a polarized environment become apparent.

🖤

Isolation

Isolation emerges as a prevalent theme in Pauline's journey. Despite her compassionate nature and dedication to her community, she finds herself increasingly alienated from loved ones and friends. The emotional toll of her political aspirations and the societal divisions lead her to confront her vulnerabilities and search for genuine connections amidst chaos.

💔

Love and Betrayal

The film delves into the complexities of love intertwined with betrayal, as Pauline's relationship with Stéphane unveils painful truths. Their bond becomes a battlefield, where feelings clash with convictions, causing Pauline to reevaluate her position in both her political life and her personal relationships. The heart-wrenching choices she faces frame the core of her emotional struggle.

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This Is Our Land Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of This Is Our Land (2018). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.


In the quiet villages of Pas‑de‑Calais, the rhythm of daily life is marked by the hum of factories, the chatter of market stalls, and the steady, caring presence of Pauline, a home‑nurse whose compassion has become a lifeline for the locals. Juggling the demands of a modest salary, her two children, Tom and Lili, and the weight of an aging father, Jacques, she embodies the resilience of the working‑class family striving to keep hope alive amid economic strain. The film’s tone balances the warmth of intimate domestic moments with an undercurrent of unease, hinting that even the most familiar streets can conceal shifting loyalties.

When the charismatic right‑wing physician Philippe Berthier approaches her with an unexpected opportunity, Pauline finds herself drawn into the orbit of a nationalist movement led by the compelling Agnès Dorgelle. The promise of community renewal and a platform to amplify her caring nature teases a new sense of purpose, while the political undercurrents of the region begin to swirl around her. Alongside her reappears Stéphane Stankowiak, an old school friend who now coaches her son’s soccer team, and whose ambiguous past adds a layer of tension to her budding involvement.

Family ties and friendships become a delicate balancing act. Jacques, a former communist, reacts with alarm to his daughter’s potential alignment with a cause that feels antithetical to his lifelong convictions. Meanwhile, the village itself fractures into camps: some patients rally behind Pauline’s newfound visibility, while others, including Nathalie Leclerc and Nada Belisha, voice concerns about the moral price of such affiliation. These interpersonal frictions underscore the broader societal discord, painting a portrait of a community at a crossroads.

The film moves with a restrained, contemplative style, letting the stark beauty of the northern French landscape echo the internal conflict of its protagonist. As Pauline navigates the lure of political belonging against the backdrop of her caring vocation, the story invites viewers to ponder how easily empathy can be reshaped into something far more complex, and whether the search for purpose can lead one into unexpected and unsettling territories.

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