Maïlis directs a powerful music video/short film for Montreal-based singer/songwriter Apacalda, following the journey of Louisa, an elderly woman who has made a momentous decision. 

The video for She's Not Coming opens with a thought-provoking montage of characters and scenery, a voiceover guides the audience through the concept. From there, we follow Louisa as she comes to terms with her decision, sharing final moments with the world around her, captured in a truly cinematic, breathtaking manner. 

The inspiration for the video came directly from the experience of Apacalda’s friend, who lost his mother to what is suspected to have been suicide. She was a devoutly religious woman who nurtured her relationship with God but ultimately chose to leave the church, which led to her exclusion from her community.

She would regularly walk along the shores of a beach near her house. One morning, news outlets spread the story of a woman's body washing up on the familiar shoreline. Her son knew right away that it was his mother, realizing they would never speak again.

"It has been a year in the making and I'm very proud of the result," Maïlis explains. "I aimed to blend this true story with Apacalda’s own cultural background, an integral part of her musical identity rooted in Romania.

"Accurately and sensitively portraying the mindset of my characters is always a goal of mine. This piece captures complex emotions within a short timeframe, so accessing the vulnerability of the main cast was crucial. I emphasized the loneliness and isolation that a woman [who is] excluded from her community can feel.

"The film's subtlety lies in the nuanced emotions conveyed: starting with a sense of feverishness, then moving through tension and melancholia, and finally, abandonment. Through Louisa’s story, I sought to show that women are responsible for their own choices, regardless of how difficult they may be while also underscoring the profound impact of community on an individual's mental and emotional well-being.

"This narrative is a testament to the strength required to make difficult choices, encouraging empathy and understanding for those who walk a path of solitude."