The Barbarian Invasions 2003

Seventeen years have passed since the events of The Decline of the American Empire, and Sébastien is thriving in his career in quantitative finance in London. However, his world takes a turn when he receives a distressing call from his mother, Louise. She informs him that his father, Rémy—her ex-husband—is terminally ill with cancer. Sébastien is less than thrilled about reuniting with Rémy, harboring resentment towards him for the family’s breakdown due to his numerous infidelities.

As they navigate their complex relationship, Rémy and his circle of old friends maintain strong beliefs in social democracy and Quebec nationalism—views that appear outdated in the aftermath of the Quiet Revolution in the 1960s. Rémy’s disdain for Sébastien’s profession, his lack of literary interests, and his fascination with video games only deepen the rift between them.

Their journey takes them to Vermont, where Rémy seeks temporary medical care. Upon their return to Quebec, which is plagued by overcrowding and mismanagement, Sébastien takes matters into his own hands. Desperate to ensure his father receives better treatment, he attempts to bribe the hospital administration and reaches out to Rémy’s old friends for support. In a bid to alleviate Rémy’s suffering, Sébastien learns that heroin is “800%” more effective than morphine, leading him to acquire some from Nathalie, a drug addict.

Amidst this turmoil, Rémy reconnects with his old pals, including Pierre, Dominique, Claude, and Diane, Nathalie’s mother. They reflect on their waning vitality and the remnants of their youthful desires. Diane expresses her worries for Nathalie, while Rémy, a history professor, engages in a philosophical discussion with the hospital chaplain Constance about the relative tranquility of the 20th century compared to the chaos of earlier times. Another scholar in their midst diminishes the significance of the September 11 attacks, framing them as merely the start of modern-day barbarism.

As the group seeks solace in the countryside, they explore their unwavering commitment to evolve with the ever-changing political and social ideologies. Ultimately, Rémy’s life comes to an end surrounded by his friends and Sébastien, after a final dose of heroin administered by Nathalie, who he affectionately refers to as his guardian angel.