On October 26, 1750, Françoise Laurent, a 20 year old servant was found guilty of stealing from her employer and was condemned to death. While incarcerated in Montréal, she appealed her sentence. Although she lost the appeal, her executioner died, leaving Françoise to linger on death row until a replacement could be found. If the post of executioner was vacant, a male prisoner could volunteer for the office and thus avoid hanging. For a female prisoner, if there was a single executioner, the woman could offer herself up to be his wife. That is how Jean Corolère took Françoise Laurent as his wife.

“The Hangman’s Bride is a classic tale of unexpected love in an unlikely place, developed with considerable panache. Naomi McCormack’s attention to detail and careful recreation of eighteenth-century Montreal make this historical episode come alive, an important reminder that our history is not as dull as we might believe.” Wyndham Wise

1997 GENIE AWARD- Best Live Action Short Drama

Producer / Director: Naomi McCormack
MUSIC: Nicholas Stirling

Hangmans Duel sequence

Contemplating Death sequence