There, There is a Canadian drama film written, directed, and edited by Heather Young and released in 2024.Jamie Casemore, "Nine Canadian features set to world premiere at VIFF". Playback, August 29, 2024. Shot with a static camera, the film centres on the relationship between Ruth (Marlene Jewell), an elderly woman afflicted with early stage dementia, and Shannon (Katie Mattatall), her young caretaker who is struggling with having been abandoned by her boyfriend while she was pregnant with their child.
The film received a production grant from Telefilm Canada in 2022.Angelica Babiera, "Telefilm allocates $12.8M to 21 English market films". Playback, July 28, 2022.
The film premiered at the 2024 Vancouver International Film Festival, and was screened in the National Competition at the 2024 Festival du nouveau cinéma, where it received a Special Jury Mention.Justine Smith, "Montreal’s Festival du Nouveau Cinéma to screen some of this year’s best films from Oct. 9 to 20". Cult MTL, September 26, 2024.
The film opened commercially on December 5, 2025.
Synopsis There, There tells the parallel stories of Ruth, an elderly woman with dementia obsessed with feeding the neighbourhood birds, and Shannon, her young homecare worker who is pregnant and has been deserted by the baby's father. The two women find comfort in one another at these very different stages in their lives.
Awards Award Year Category Work Result Ref Canadian Screen Awards 2026 Best Direction Heather Young "Nominees". Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, March 25, 2026. Best Lead Performance in a Drama Film Marlene Jewell Best Supporting Performance in a Drama Film Katie Mattatall Best Cinematography Catherine Lutes
References
External links
There, There on Letterboxd