Ep 078: Unfolding Faith and How Deconversion Redefines Identity and Relationships
Elyse Bouvier is a filmmaker, photographer, and writer who recently wrote and directed the short documentary, Unfolding Faith, for the National Film Board of Canada. In this nuanced and timely short film, Elyse explores how her decision to give up her faith redefined both her identity and her relationships with her parents.
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We spoke to Elyse about her deconversion from Evangelical Christianity and what it was like to have raw yet empathetic conversations about faith while making her documentary with her devout mother and her father, a former pastor turned atheist.
We also discussed shows like Unorthodox and films about transformation, like Barbie and Wild, and how Elyse would love to see TV and film tackle the nuanced, grey areas of the deconversion process and what it is like to live in mixed-faith families.
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Music: Deppisch
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ABOUT OUR GUEST
Elyse Bouvier is a filmmaker, photographer, and writer who resides in Calgary, Alberta—a place known by many other names to the traditional Peoples of the area, including “moh-kíns-tsis” to the Blackfoot. Her work examines identity in relation to our family, faith, communities, and environment.
She holds a Master of Fine Arts (Documentary Media) from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Bachelor of Communication from Mount Royal University. She has exhibited and published work across Canada, the UK, and Europe.
ABOUT UNFOLDING FAITH:
In this nuanced and timely short film, Elyse Bouvier explores how her decision to give up her faith redefined both her identity and her relationships with her parents. In raw yet empathetic conversations with her devout mother and her father, a former pastor turned atheist, she explores themes of emotional connection, intellectual pursuit, and mixed-faith families.
LINKS
Find Elyse online: Instagram, Website, Substack
Watch Unfolding Faith on NFB (available in Canada and the US): https://www.nfb.ca/film/unfolding-faith/
Shows/ films/ books we referenced: Barbie, Unorthodox, Wild, Priestdaddy
Other resources: Coming soon!
Other episodes you’ll enjoy:
PBS’s The Class and the Importance of Mentorship - Episode 073
You’re Not Alone: How Stigma Hurts Everyone - Episode 036
Depression: A conversation with the creators of CBC Gem’s Get Up, Aisha - Episode 052