Your Higher Self is an in-depth documentary about personal growth.
It was screened in Austin for the 2025 South By SouthWest (SXSW) festival.
We subsequently had a chance to talk with Director Annie St. Pierre.
HNMAG: Where did you grow up?
Annie St. Pierre: I grew up in a rural area in Eastern Quebec, by the St-Laurent River. There weren’t many sources of independent cinema to draw from back then, but I spent my Friday nights at the Cinéma Princesse, watching double features of blockbusters. Later, around 17 years old, I worked at the video club in my small town.
HNMAG: When did you get interested in filmmaking?
Annie St. Pierre: Towards the end of my teenage years, I discovered international cinema and became a fan of Dogma and the French New Wave, but it was so far removed from the world I came from, that I couldn’t imagine myself in it. I truly began to want to make films (and believe it was possible) after discovering documentaries produced by the National Film Board (NFB) (Groulx, Perrault, Brault…). Through their films, I found myself both in what was captured and in the way it was done. Nothing new: we all need to see like-minded people in a space to believe we’re capable of reaching it.
HNMAG: How did you make your first movie?
Annie St. Pierre: At university. Seeing that I had an interest in theatre and documentary, the heads of the cinema and theatre departments asked me to initiate a series of films on important figures in the history of Quebec theatre by making a portrait of Jean-Pierre Ronfard, who had a significant impact by pushing experimental approaches, even in more traditional institutions. The film had a theatrical release… and Jean-Pierre’s artistic philosophy has stayed with me: “Il y a ce qu’on fait pour gagner sa vie et ce qu’on fait pour ne pas la perdre.” which means: “There’s what you do to make a living, and there’s what you do to give your life meaning.”
HNMAG: Do you prefer documentaries?
Annie St. Pierre: No. Haha! In my opinion, the ideal is to have access to all territories, both documentary and fiction: the most generous in controlled means, and the more modest ones that allow for surprise and experimentation. But above all, the human being is my muse, and certain aspects of who we are are portrayed more profoundly in fiction, while others are more fascinating in a documentary form.
HNMAG: How did Your Higher Self get made?
Annie St. Pierre: The subject of coaching (and, more broadly, personal growth) has fascinated me for a long time. After working with Metafilms on other projects, I simply talked about it with Audrey-Ann Dupuis-Pierre, the producer, who jumped on board with me. We received support from institutions (Thank you, SODEC and TELEFILM, and my nation that supports its culture!) and then came what every film requires: gathering the best team for this film, finding welcoming participants, and creating a cinematic object that reflects on us while evoking emotions. Something that makes us learn something, without providing factual information.
HNMAG: Is SXSW your premiere?
Annie St. Pierre: I sometimes like to break the usual paths: I had my World Premiere at home, at the RIDM in Montreal. The film was ready in November, and I didn’t want to wait a whole year before meeting my documentary community at this festival (RIDM) that is internationally recognized and major in my journey. SXSW is our International Premiere.
HNMAG: Were you surprised that your film was selected? Have you been to Austin before?
Annie St. Pierre: My previous film, the short Like the Ones I Used to Know, was presented and won two awards at SXSW in 2021. Unfortunately, it was one of those years with virtual festivals, so I experienced it from my couch rather than in Austin. Nevertheless, I felt the warmth and energy from the programmers, and I believe that forged a link between my films and the festival. In this sense, I never take anything for granted, but I thought the film had a special resonance with the artistic direction of SXSW. I’m excited to finally witness the massive wave SXSW creates in this small progressive bubble in the Southern U.S. With the current relations between the U.S. and Canada, accepting SXSW’s invitation to present Your Higher Self in Austin this year required some reflection. But I decided to bring my film because I sincerely believe we need to maintain spaces for discussion with our neighbors, much of which also suffers from Trump-era policies. Your Higher Self is a documentary essay that reflects the psycho-power of neoliberalism and individualism through the personal coaching industry. These are themes that directly touch the American dream – exported everywhere in the West, including Canada – and creating a dialogue with the audience there feels like a rich opportunity to reflect together.
Your Higher Self is a smart and profound documentary shot in Quebec and in French with English subtitles. It’s another strong example of how we can make great movies in Canada from a Canadian perspective. We recommend you look for it when you can. Annie St. Pierre is a talented writer and director who should have a terrific career.