Irene the Lionhearted is an intimate, historical and poetic account of the life of Irene Kon, as seen through the eyes of her granddaughter. It spans a century of Canada's social and political history, as experienced by one woman. The film explores Irene's experience of work, marriage, motherhood, politics, art, and spirituality, against a constantly changing historical backdrop. It paints an impressionistic portrait of an extraordinary woman at the end of her life.