LUCAS
Audiovisual Translation for an Award-Nominated Documentary
Overview
Audiovisual translation for the documentary LUCAS: An Endangered Human Species, produced by PVP MEDIA and directed by Eli Laliberté, both long-standing collaborators.
The project involved translating narration for voice-over, as well as dialogue for subtitles, across two broadcast formats (88-minute and 52-minute versions).
The film has since been broadcast on Radio-Canada and Knowledge Network, and has received multiple nominations and distinctions at international festivals and industry awards.
The challenge
This project required working with emotionally rich and highly personal content, while meeting the technical constraints of audiovisual translation.
The documentary explores the story of the director’s son, who has Down syndrome, offering both a celebration of his life and a reflection on broader societal questions surrounding prenatal screening.
The content required:
- a tone that was authentic, sensitive and emotionally precise
- careful handling of personal and potentially sensitive subject matter
- consistency across narration and dialogue
In addition, the project involved:
- adapting narration for voice-over delivery, ensuring clarity and natural flow
- refining phrasing to support the director’s delivery in English
- producing subtitles within strict character and timing constraints
- ensuring alignment across multiple versions of the film
My approach
I approached this project with a focus on tone, rhythm and technical precision.
- Adapting narration for voice-over
I translated and refined the narration to ensure it sounded natural when spoken, working closely with the director’s voice and delivery. - Supporting delivery through language
Particular attention was paid to phrasing, helping to simplify or adjust certain segments so they could be delivered more fluidly in English. - Subtitling dialogue
Dialogue was translated with attention to readability, timing and character limits, ensuring subtitles remained clear and easy to follow. - Maintaining emotional integrity
Throughout the project, I ensured that the tone and intent of the original were preserved, allowing the story to retain its impact in English.
The result
The final English version delivers a natural and emotionally resonant narration, supported by clear and well-timed subtitles across both formats of the film.
The translation contributes to a viewing experience that remains faithful to the original while being fully accessible to English-speaking audiences.
The documentary has been broadcast nationally and internationally, and has received multiple nominations and selections, including:
- Canadian Screen Awards nomination (Best Documentary Program)
- Prix Gémeaux nominations (Best Documentary Program and Best Direction)
- Prix humaniste (Festival Vues sur Mer)
- official selections at international festivals including ReelAbilities (New York), BOSIFEST and others
Key takeaway
This project highlights the importance of balancing emotional nuance with technical constraints in audiovisual translation, particularly when working with personal, narrative-driven content.