This is the documentary Rose – “The Woman Who Always Prayed”, directed by Sébastien Cassen, which retraces the extraordinary life of Rose Philippine Duchesne, a remarkable woman from the Isère region whose story, both deeply personal and universal, deserves to be brought to the screen.

Born in Grenoble in 1769 into a noble family from the Dauphiné region, Rose Philippine Duchesne grew up during an era shaped by the Enlightenment and political upheaval. Her father, a councillor at the Parliament of Grenoble, embodied the city’s influential elite. Yet, against her family’s expectations, she chose religious life at an early age, followed by the missionary adventure.

The French Revolution shattered her first aspirations, forcing her to hide priests at the risk of her own life before her convent was dissolved.

Yet her dream of America, nurtured since childhood by stories of distant lands, never left her. In her forties, she crossed the Atlantic aboard the Rebecca, leaving her world behind for good to travel to the United States, where she devoted her life to education and encounters with Native American peoples, particularly the Potawatomi. Moved by her quiet presence and unwavering faith, they gave her an evocative name: “the woman who always prays”.

Her story, as rich as it is little known, is inseparable from Isère, where it all began. The landscapes of Grenoble, the Vercors and the Chartreuse mountains, which shaped her childhood, will provide a visual thread throughout the documentary, creating a poetic dialogue between her place of origin and the vast plains of Kansas, where she would spend the final years of her life.

This project goes beyond simply recounting a biography: it offers an immersive journey into local history, while exploring universal themes such as resilience, female courage and the determination to overcome the limitations imposed by one’s time.

The film sheds light on a woman whose life resonates powerfully with our own era.

Rose Philippine Duchesne was indeed a pioneering woman who dared to challenge the conventions of her time in order to follow her calling, whatever the difficulties. Her story, marked by political upheaval, missionary disappointments and an unwavering spiritual quest, offers valuable insight into the tensions between ideals and reality, faithfulness and freedom. Explored with both rigour and sensitivity, these themes make the documentary both educational and inspiring, with the potential to reach a wide audience, from school students to history enthusiasts.

From a cinematic perspective, the documentary stands out for its immersive and poetic approach. The narrative is built entirely around Rose Philippine Duchesne’s original letters, whose words, read in voice-over, reveal her doubts, her hopes and her determination.

These archives, made available with the permission of the Society of the Sacred Heart, form the narrative thread of the film, while the landscapes of Isère and the United States, carefully filmed, create a visual resonance between the place she left behind and the land where her journey ultimately led her.

A number of distinguished contributors, including historian Catherine Marin, author Christine Delmar and Joseph Rupnick, Chairman of the Tribal Council of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, provide contemporary perspectives on her legacy. Their contributions help place her work within the political, religious and cultural context of her time, without overlooking its contradictions, including slavery and colonial tensions.

Beyond its artistic dimension, this documentary also aims to have a tangible impact within the local community. We are planning screenings followed by discussions in middle and high schools, accompanied by educational materials for teachers, so that Rose Philippine Duchesne can become an inspiring figure for younger generations.

A premiere could also be organised in Grenoble, in partnership with local institutions such as the Musée dauphinois, to celebrate this shared heritage and introduce her story to a wider audience. Finally, the film could become part of historical or tourist trails highlighting the places in and around Grenoble connected with her childhood and education.

Further screenings, particularly in Paris and Lyon, are also planned.

Filming is only the first step. For the story of Rose Philippine Duchesne to fully come to life on screen, the documentary must now enter post-production.

The €8,000 raised will fund the editing and sound mixing, colour grading, creation of the credits, and preparation of the final version of the film.

This work, often invisible to the audience, is essential to convey faithfully the depth of her testimony, the strength of her missionary vocation and the central place of prayer in her life.

By supporting this final stage, you are helping us pass on to new generations the spiritual legacy of the woman who became known as “the woman who always prayed”.