québec film utsav

québec
film utsav
discovery of Québec through cinema
in mumbai
QUÉBEC FILM AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION
JANUARY 28 TO 31, 2011
venue: Rangaswar, chavan centre
general jagannath bhosale marg
Nariman Point
FREE PASSES and program at:
www.quebec-india.in/cinema
Department of French
Monique Gagnon-Tremblay
Ministre des Relations internationales
et ministre responsable de la Francophonie /
Minister of International Relations
and Minister responsible for La Francophonie
C’est avec grand plaisir que le gouvernement du
Québec appuie le Québec Film Utsav : Discovery
of Québec Through Cinema, un projet réalisé en
partenariat avec le Département de français de
l’Université de Mumbai, le Yashwantrao Chavan
Pratishthan, the Federation of Film Societies of India
et le Prabhat Chitra Mandal. Il s’agit pour nous d’une
belle occasion de présenter le Québec, une société
francophone riche d’une culture unique et diversifiée
découlant autant de ses origines européennes que
de sa réalité américaine. Je suis très heureuse
que quelques-unes des meilleures productions
québécoises soient présentées à Mumbai, berceau de
l’une des plus grandes cultures cinématographiques
du monde.
Le programme de cette présentation de films
québécois propose une sélection très variée sur
le plan des thèmes, mais où les rapports humains
constituent la trame principale de l’intrigue. Les
réalisateurs choisis jettent un regard lucide sur la
société québécoise en vue de transmettre une lecture
personnelle d’une réalité ou d’une époque à travers
un humour franc, ironique, parfois même satirique.
Ces réalisations contemporaines tracent les contours
d’une société nord-américaine ne craignant pas de
scruter son existence pour raffermir son identité et
regarder l’avenir en face.
Nous espérons que cette première présentation de
cinéma québécois à Mumbai vous plaira et surtout,
qu’elle vous donnera envie d’en découvrir davantage
sur le Québec.
Bon cinéma!
The Québec Government is pleased to sponsor
Québec Film Ustav: Discovery of Québec Through
Cinema, in partnership with the French Department
of the University of Mumbai, the Yashwantrao
Chavan Pratisthan, the Federation of Film Societies
of India and the Prabhat Chitra Mandal. Such an
event provides an exceptional showcase for Québec,
a Francophone society whose diversified culture
attests to its unique blend of European and North
American heritage. I am especially pleased that
some of the best that Québec cinema has to offer is
presented in Mumbai, one of the chief flagships of
cinematographic production worldwide.
The films that will be shown during this event have
a rich thematic diversity; in all of them, however,
human relations constitute a key narrative element.
Through their films, the directors provide a lucid and
very personal perspective on the evolution of Québec
society over time, with a healthy splash of humour,
irony and even satire. Together, these contemporary
productions reveal a modern society where selfcriticism can strengthen identity and provide an
essential vantage point for looking into the future.
We hope that you will enjoy this first showcase for
Québec cinema in Mumbai, that it will leave you
wanting to know more about Québec and seeking
other opportunities for cultural exchange and
understanding.
Bon cinéma!
C.R.A.Z.Y
28th january — 7:00 PM
..................................................4
(Please be seated at 6:30 for the opening address)
THE DOG WHO STOPPED THE WAR
(LA GUERRE DES TUQUES)
29th january — 1:00 PM
..................................................6
I KILLED MY MOTHER
(J’AI TUÉ MA MÈRE)
29th january — 3:00 PM
..................................................7
THE FIGHT
(LE RING)
29th january — 5:00 PM
..................................................9
Continental – A Film Whitout Guns
(Continental, un film sans fusil)
29th january — 7:30 PM
................................................ 10
I REMEMBER
(JE ME SOUVIENS)
30th january — 3:00 PM
............................................... 11
STICKY FINGERS
(LES DOIGTS CROCHES)
30th january — 5:00 PM
............................................... 12
MOMMY IS AT THE HAIRDRESSER’S
(MAMAN EST CHEZ LE COIFFEUR)
30th january — 7:30 PM
............................................... 13
SEDUCTING DOCTOR LEWIS
(LA GRANDE SÉDUCTION)
31st january — 8:00 PM
................................................ 14
(Please be seated at 7:30 for the closing address)
C.R.A.Z.Y.
FRIDAY - JANUARY 28th
7:00 PM
(Please be seated at 6:30 for the opening address)
A film by Produced by Starring Running Time Released in Jean-Marc Vallée
Pierre Even
Michel Côté, Marc-André Grondin, Danielle Proulx
129 minutes
2005
Synopsis
December 25, 1960: Zachary Beaulieu comes into the world, fourth in a family of five boys. An ordinary
suburban family with a loving mother and a dad who’s a bit gruff, but proud of his sons. The beginning
of a beautiful childhood, where Christmases and birthdays follow one after the other to the ubiquitous
solo of the elder Beaulieu singing Aznavour’s Emmène-moi au bout de la terre, washing the car in the
fresh air and trips to the snack-bar for Zac, his father’s favourite. But not for long, alas!
That’s the lead-in to C.R.A.Z.Y., the story of a special little boy who grows into young manhood and
ends up even denying his inner self to attract his father’s attention. Through music and rebellion, and
also with humour, down to a mystical voyage to Jerusalem—“to the ends of the earth” as his father was
always singing—where perhaps in such a far-away place he finally succeeds in finding him...
The director
Montreal filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée made his ground-breaking feature debut with Liste Noire (Black
List), in 1995. The strikingly stylish erotic thriller was a first for its genre in Quebec cinema, and was
honored with nine Genie Award nominations. Ten years later, he returned to French-language features
with the internationally acclaimed hit, C.R.A.Z.Y. The picture became a phenomenon; distributed in
over fifty countries and winning some twenty international festival awards.
Jean-Marc has also flirted with Hollywood (Strangers–1996, Los
Locos–1997), as well as completing the first two installments of his short
film trilogy devoted to father-son relationships; a theme very close to the
filmmaker’s heart. Les Fleurs magiques (Magical Flowers, 1995) and Les
Mots magiques (Magical Words, 1998) are individual pieces unified by a
dream-like quality, and an eye for their subjects that is both tender and
tortured. Both shorts were awarded numerous festival prizes at home, and
abroad.
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© Bernard Carrière
Awards and honours
C.R.A.Z.Y. was awarded over 50 prizes around the world, including:
•Audience Award for Best Feature Film, AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival 2005
•Best Canadian Feature Film, Toronto International Film Festival 2005
• Jury Prize, Marrakech International Film Festival 2005
•Best Director Prize, Youth Jury Prize for Best Film, Best Script Prize and Best Production
•Eleven Prizes at the Genie Awards 2006
•Over 13 Prizes at the Jutra Awards 2006
•Four Prizes at the 6th Annual Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards 2006:
Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress.
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The Dog Who Stopped the War
(La guerre des tuques)
SATURDAY - JANUARY 29th
1:00 PM
A film by Written by Produced by Running Time Released in André Melançon
Danyèle Patenaude, Roger Cantin
Rock Demers, Nicole Robert
88 minutes
1984
Synopsis
The Dog Who Stopped the War is the story of a war between two gangs of children in which the victors
stands to win a magnificent ice castle. One of the gangs is headed by Luke, who up until now has been
the uncontested leader; the other is led by Peter and his inseparable companion, a Saint Bernard.
Sophia, a newcomer to the village, soon joins Peter’s gang. This drama of friendship, rivalry and unity
is bound to affect both young and old by its freshness and honesty.
The director
André Melançon has a long history of experience in working with children as both an educator and
a filmmaker. With The Dog Who Stopped the War, he demonstrates why he has earned the title of
“Children’s Film Specialist”.
His first fictional feature came about in 1978. Comme les six doigts de la main cast a fresh eye on the
activities of a group of kids confined to the city during the summer vacation. The picture was very well
received by the public and also managed to earn the Quebec Film Critics Award, among other critical
accolade.
The Dog who Stopped the War had a profound impact on Quebec cinema,
it was the first film in the Canadian “Tales for All” collection, conceived to
create family-friendly alternatives to Disney films.
Awards and Honours
•Golden Reel Award 1985
•Best Editing 1985 Genie Awards
•CHIFF Award – Australia 1985
•Laon Grand Prize (France) 1985
•Golden Palm - XIVth Moscow International Film Festival 1985
•Designated Masterworks in Canada in 2005
6
I killed my Mother
(J’ai tué ma mÈre)
SATURDAY - JANUARY 29th
3:00 PM
A film by Written by Produced by Starring Running Time Released in Xavier Dolan
Xavier Dolan
Xavier Dolan, Carole Mondello, Daniel Morin
Xavier Dolan, Anne Dorval, François Arnaud, Suzanne Clément
96 minutes
2009
Synopsis
Hubert Minel is a 16-year-old Québécois living in suburban Montreal with his mother. They quarrel
a lot. She brings him to school in her car, but complains that he could go by bike or bus. He does
not want to ask or be asked how the other’s day was, because each could tell it anyway if there
were something important. He does not like to chat in the car, but starts a talk when she is watching
television and does not want to be disturbed. He is gay and has a boyfriend, Antonin, but has told
neither to his mother; she finds out from Antonin’s mother, who thought she knew.
Hubert wants to live in his own apartment, and is happy that his mother says it is a good idea, but the
next day she has changed her mind and does not allow it, she thinks he is too young. Instead he is
sent to a boarding school in Coaticook, which he does not like at all.
I Killed My Mother is an exposé on the complexity of the mother and son bond. The film attracted
international press’ attention when it won three awards from the Director’s Fortnight program at the
2009 Cannes Film Festival.
The director
Xavier Dolan (born on March 20, 1989 in Montréal, Québec, Canada) is a Québec actor, voice actor,
scriptwriter and director. He gained the attention of audiences as well as international film and artistic
communities with the screening of I Killed My Mother (J’ai tué ma mère)
at the 41st Directors’ Fortnight during the 62nd edition of the Cannes Film
Festival.
Dolan began his career on television, making some twenty commercials.
His name appears in the credits of a number of Québec feature films.
In 2008, he produced and directed his first feature-length film, I killed My
Mother. He had written the script two years earlier at the age of 17. The
film was selected for the 41st Cannes Fortnight in April, 2009. That same
year on May 22, he won three awards at the Festival. All three juries hailed
his unique directing talent and praised the authenticity, forcefulness and
poetry of the film’s language.
7
Awards and Honours
Three awards at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival:
•C.I.C.A.E. Award
• Prix Regards Jeune
•SACD Prize (Directors’ Fortnight)
Other awards from different festival on the international circuit:
• Zagreb Film Festival Award (2009)
•Golden Puffin, Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF)
•Grand Prix, 2MORROW (Moscow)
• Jury Prize for Best Canadian Film, Vancouver International Film Festival
•Best Canadian Actor (Xavier Dolan), Best Canadian Supporting Actor (François Arnaud),
Best Canadian Director (Xavier Dolan), Best Canadian Film, Vancouver Film Critics Circle
8
THE FIGHT
(LE RING)
SATURDAY - JANUARY 29th
5:00 PM
A film by Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette
Written by Renée Beaulieu
Produced by Ian Quenneville, Thomas Ramoisy ­_ Christal Films
Starring Maxime Desjardins-Tremblay, Maxime Dumontier, Jason Roy Léveillée,
Stéphane Demers
Running Time 87 minutes
Released in 2008
Synopsis
12-year-old Jessy has a tough childhood, but he doesn’t realize it. All the kids in his neighbourhood
have the same. In this underprivileged area of Montreal, reality hits hard. When his family life turns
chaotic, he loses what’s left of his innocence. But even when pinned down to the mat, Jessy will find
the strength to fight to escape his destiny.
The director
Following a trip to Honduras, Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette directed the feature documentary Les Petits
princes des bidonvilles (2000) who won the Public Prize at Montreal’s Muestra Cultural Latinoamericana.
While studying at INIS, she directed the shorts Sorcières comme les autres (2000) and Les Mots bleus
(2001). She then co-directed the short documentary Buenos Aires, no llores, shot in Argentina and
selected in many international film festivals.
In 2002, she represented Canada at United Nation’s Volunteers’ Odyssey, which brought her to travel
around the world and shoot 15 short documentaries. Afterwards, she directed more documentaries,
including the features Les Mains du Monde and Si j’avais un chapeau which gave a voice to children
from Quebec, India, Tanzania and Palestine.
In 2008, her first fiction feature, The Fight (Le Ring), is released. Well
received by critics, the film was part of the official selection in Pusan and
Berlin’s film festivals that same year. It also won many international awards.
Awards and honours
•New Talent Grand Prize and the Golden Lion Award at
Taipei Film Festival
•Best Director Award at Miradas Madrid Film Festival
•Special Jury Award at Vladivostok Film Festival in Russia.
9
Continental – A Film Whitout Guns
(Continental, un film sans fusil)
SATURDAY - JANUARY 29th
7:30 PM
A film by Produced by Starring Running Time Released in Stéphane Lafleur
Luc Déry, Kim McCraw
Gilbert Sicotte, Marie-Ginette Guay, Réal Bossé, Fanny Mallette
103 minutes
2007
Synopsis
A Man wakes up on a bus. Everyone has left. Night has fallen. He gets off the bus, and finds himself
alone. The bus has stopped at the edge of a forest. On either side, the road is veiled by darkness.
From the forest, he hears sounds – night-time forest sounds. After much hesitation, the Man enters
the forest, disappearing into the darkness.
Continental (Continental, un film sans fusil) features four characters whose lives will be affected by that
Man’s disappearance. Although told separately, these stories end up intersecting and mirroring each
other. A bittersweet black comedy, Continental takes a playful look at individual vulnerability and the
fragile link that connects us to our fellow human beings.
The director
In the last 10 years, Stéphane Lafleur has contributed to the creation of more than 30 independent
short films.
In 1999, his student short film Karaoké was selected at the Festival du Nouveau Cinema in Montreal
and at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it earned a Jury’s Special Mention. In 2002,
Snooze was chosen to open the Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois. His latest short, Claude, has
distinguished itself on the festival circuit, screening at the Toronto
International Film Festival, the Vancouver International Film Festival, as
well as Berlin’s Interfilm, among others.
10
I REMEMBER
(JE ME SOUVIENS)
SUNDAY - JANUARY 30th
3:00 PM
A film by Produced by Starring Running Time Released in André Forcier
Linda Pinet
Roy Dupuis, Céline Bonnier, France Castel, Rémy Girard
88 minutes
2009
Synopsis
Abitibi 1949.
For his son Louis, an adorable child with cheerful dimples, Robert Sincennes is a hero. But for the
bosses of the Sullidor Mine, the Roman Catholic Church and the powerful Maurice Duplessis, Premier
of Quebec, he is the enemy. Communist and free thinker, Robert wants to be the head of the miners’
union.
When his rival Richard Bombardier dies tragically on Saint Valentine’s night, the entire mining
community is led to believe that it was Mathilde, his wife, who killed him. To exact her revenge upon
the gossipers, Mathilde seduces Robert Sincennes and Roch Devos, the union’s organisers and the
husbands of Anita and Marguerite, the two women who started the rumours. Revenge cannot assuage
Mathilde’s sorrow, she drowns herself in alcohol.
Crude, ironic and satirical, André Forcier’s latest film looks with humour at the sombre years of
Duplessis and the unholy marriage of church and state.
The director
Often referred to as Quebec cinema’s enfant terrible, the director-writer André Forcier (born July 19,
1947 in Montréal) is one of the best talents of his generation of Québécois
filmmakers. His work has been linked to Latin American magic realism by
its use of fantasy but is firmly rooted in Quebec’s reality.
Although he has produced relatively few films, Forcier is widely regarded
as an important figure in Canadian cinema
He won the Prix André-Guérin in 1990. In 2003, he won the prix AlbertTessier for an outstanding career in Québec cinema. He has received six
Genie Award nominations through its career.
11
STICKY FINGERS
(LES DOIGTS CROCHES)
SUNDAY - JANUARY 30th
5:00 PM
A film by Written by Produced by Starring Running Time Released in Ken Scott
Ken Scott
Remstar Media Partners and Alliance Vivafilm
Roy Dupuis, Patrice Robitaille, Claude Legault, Paolo Noël
108 minutes
2009
Synopsis
Sticky Fingers is a comedy about six of the world’s worst gangsters managed to heist $2 million, all but
one of them are caught. Now after four years in prison, the remaining five are released and are forced
to walk the famous Camino pilgrimage in Spain to prove they’ve changed their ways and deserve their
cut of the loot.
The director
Ken Scott’s talents include acting, screenwriting and now directing. He began his career as an actor
and scriptwriter with the Bizarroïdes. He performed with the comic team at major festivals, winning
numerous awards and distinctions.
In 2002, Scott wrote the sitcom Le Plateau, in which he also played one of the lead roles. That same
year, he authored his second feature-length script, Seducing Doctor Lewis (La Grande Séduction),
selected in 2003 as the closing film for the prestigious Cannes Directors’ Fortnight.
More recently, he wrote the screenplay for the feature film The Rocket: The Maurice Richard Story,
directed by Charles Binamé and nominated in 2006 for 14 Jutra Awards, including best script.
In 2008, he made his directing debut with Sticky Fingers (Les Doigts
croches), which he also wrote.
12
Mommy is at the hairdresser’s
(Maman est chez le coiffeur)
SUNDAY - JANUARY 30th
7:30 PM
A film by Léa Pool
Written by Isabelle Hébert
Produced by Lyse Lafontaine, Michael Mosca - Equinoxe Productions
Starring Marianne Fortier, Céline Bonnier, Laurent Lucas,
Hugo St-Onge-Paquin
Running Time 99 minutes
Released in 2008
Synopsis
It’s summer 1966. Time to enjoy summer vacation, total freedom, running wild in the fields, and crazy
giggles with friends. But as she becomes more aware of the dreams, sorrows and lies of the people
closest to her, Élise sees her mother’s sudden abandonment thoroughly disrupt her family. While her
brother Coco stubbornly seeks refuge in constructing a super car, the youngest, Benoît, plummets
deep into his own internal world, retreating ever-further in the furnace room. As for her father, he is
simply overwhelmed by the situation. Élise decides to take the helm of her drifting family in a poignant
attempt to save them. With support from the living and breathing surrounding nature and the silent
comfort Monsieur Mouche offers, Élise is on the verge of experiencing a summer unlike any other.
The director
Since 1978, Léa Pool has pursued a unique cinematographic path. She has been the master behind a
dozen of films, all of which have been selected by the major international film festivals (Cannes, Berlin,
Venice, Sundance, Montreal, Toronto, etc.) and won many awards.
In 1994, France’s Blois Festival presented a retrospective of Léa Pool’s cinematographic work and she
was appointed a “Chevalier” of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.
Mommy is at the hairdresser’s is Léa Pool’s most recent theatrical feature
film.
13
seducing doctor lewis
(la grande séduction)
MONDAY - JANUARY 31st
8:00 PM
(Please be seated at 7:30 for the closing address)
A film by Written by Starring Produced by Running Time Released in Jean-François Pouliot
Ken Scott
David Boutin, Raymond Bouchard, Benoît Brière, Lucie Laurier
MAX FILMS
108 minutes
2003
Synopsis
In the little harbour village of St-Marie-La Mauderne, the vanishing fish stocks have plummeted a once
thriving community into decline, forcing the fishermen to rely on government welfare. When a small
company considers building a factory on the island, the inhabitants see an opportunity for the village
to be restored to greatness. But the factory cannot be built without a resident doctor.
Seeking to attract the young Doctor Lewis, Germain spearheads the transformation of the village. It’s
the beginning of the seduction. From the women’s dress code to the food, even the patient’s illnesses,
everything is done with the soul purpose of pleasing the doctor. While sometimes ruthless and often
clumsy, even the most disillusioned villagers rally to the cause. The entire village works harmoniously
and with great dedication towards trying to convince the doctor that St-Marie-La-Mauderne is the ideal
place to live.
The director
Jean-François Pouliot was born in Montreal in 1957.
Mr Pouliot began working in film as an assistant cameraman and over the years acquired solid
experience by working on well-known feature films, including Once upon a Time in America, by
director Sergio Leone and Hotel New Hampshire by Tony Richardson.
In 1988, he became a director for Fabrique d’images, one of the
country’s largest production houses for audio-visual advertising. He
made commercials mainly for Canadian clients, but also for American
and European ones, winning the Silver Lion at Cannes for an ad for LotoQuébec.
After twelve years as a director of audio-visual advertising, and nearly
500 commercials later, Jean-François is making his feature-film debut with
Seducing Doctor Lewis (La Grande Séduction), a dramatic comedy that
has been selected as the Closing Night Film of the Directors’ Fortnight at
the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.
14
Awards and honours
•Closing Night Film of the Director’s Fortnight, Cannes 2003
• Public Award, Halifax Film Festival 2003
•Bayard d’Or for Best Film, Namur Festival of Francophone Film 2003
• Jiraldillo d’Oro (Grand Prize), Sevilla International Film Festival 2003
•ASECAN Andalousian Film Critics Award, Sevilla International Film Festival 2003
• 2004 World Cinema Dramatic Audience Prize, Sundance 2004
•Winner of 7 2004 Jutra Awards
•Best cinematography, 2004 Genie Awards
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Québec Government Office in Mumbai
Consulate General of Canada
6th floor Fort House
221, Dr. D.N. Road
Mumbai – 400 001
Maharashtra, INDIA