Published May 16 2025

On the occasion of the centenary of the canonization of Saint Therese, JLA Productions and SAJE Production announce their collaboration to produce A Soul, a feature-length film that will feature the internationally acclaimed French Carmelite nun. The film will be written and directed by Vincent Mottez.

The greatest saint of modern times

A Soul is not a documentary or a biopic but a work of fiction inspired by the luminous and moving destiny of Thérèse Martin, a young Norman woman who entered Carmel at the age of 15 and immediately became a very popular figure after her short life, well beyond the Catholic world.

Its Story of a soul has become a worldwide bestseller, translated into more than 50 languages ​​and printed in more than 500 million copies. Her “little way,” considered a revolutionary doctrine of spirituality, touched hearts, even in the trenches of the First World War, where many Poilus, who affectionately called her “little Thérèse,” contributed to her fame, and then to her canonization, celebrated on May 17, 1925.

Described as “the greatest saint of modern times” by Pope Pius X, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux continues to inspire generations across the world, to the point of being honored by UNESCO in 2023 as one of the great universal figures of humanity in the service of peace.

A new look at a cinema icon

Saint Therese of Lisieux maintains a long history with cinemaThe life of the famous Carmelite nun has been brought to the screen several times by great directors, notably Julien Duvivier in 1929 and Alain Cavalier in 1986.

A Soul will be carried out by Vincent Mottez, author and director of the film Win or die produced in 2023 by Puy du Fou Films, and which met with great success with more than 315 admissions in France. 

In conjunction with the teams of the Sanctuary and the Carmel of Lisieux, Vincent Mottez will propose his own artistic vision of the saint. She will endeavor, beyond the stained glass figure, to explore the inner life both luminous and tormented of a moving young woman with an exceptional destiny, living such a unique daily life, yet so close to everyone.

A Soul or how the one who chose confinement and anonymity became a universal figure who transcends eras and borders.

The story of an inner struggle

In the spring of 1888, Thérèse Martin, a young woman from Normandy, barely fifteen years old, decided to enter the Carmel of Lisieux. In an austere daily life of prayer, silence, and strict rules, she waged a trying inner battle. A battle against herself. Her path was marked by trials, suffering, renunciation, but also grace, until the revelation of a simple truth, which opened the way to salvation. A truth that would lead her to holiness and inspire millions of people around the world, even saving some of them, including a poor young girl, promised a bright future. Yet, everything separates them...

An international co-production
  • Vincent Mottez
  • Hubert de Torcy (Saje Production)

The film is co-produced by: 

  • JLA Productions, subsidiary of JLA Group, the leading independent audiovisual group in France and a major player in French fiction. 
  • SAJE Production, a company specializing in Christian-inspired cinema, which recently produced the comedy In Bad Faith, selected at the Alpe d'Huez Festival last January. For 10 years SAJE has distributed more than 300 films including Cristeros, Priesthood or, sound of freedom.
  • Bosco Films, Spanish producer, who notably produced the documentary film Free, about monastic life, which has achieved more than 100 entries in Spain.

SAJE Distribution will ensure the distribution of the film in France. 

The script is now finalized and the casting will be launched soon, provided by Constance Demontoy, casting director who has collaborated in particular on Me, Captain, In body, Titanium or, Stillwater. 

Filming is scheduled for start 2026.