Geneviève Bujold is back: Canadian Screen Awards 2013 [See previous post: "Canadian Screen Awards: Oscar-Nominated War Witch Tops."] In addition to War Witch‘s Rachel Mwanza, the Canadian Screen Awards 2013 Best Actress nominees are Evelyne Brochu for Inch’allah, Marilyn Castonguay for L’Affaire Dumont, Suzanne Clément for Laurence Anyways, and Geneviève Bujold for Still Mine. In the Michael McGowan-directed drama based on real-life events, the veteran Bujold plays farmer James Cromwell tough-but-ailing wife whose physical frailty sets in motion the film’s plot: Cromwell’s desire to build a better, more comfortable house for Bujold pits him against government inspector Jonathan Potts. (Photo: Geneviève Bujold, James Cromwell Still Mine.) The Montreal-born Geneviève Bujold is best known for her Hollywood movies: Charles Jarrott’s Best Picture Academy Award nominee Anne of the Thousand Days (1969), which earned Bujold a Best Actress Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Anne Boleyn; Mark Robson’s Earthquake, playing Charlton Heston...
- 1/16/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Pierre Leduc (Patrick Drolet) is a professor of literature and an academic translator who lives in Quebec City. He resigns from his university job to translate the works of Polish poet Edward Stachura, who was hit by a train under mysterious circumstances (wandering on the tracks) and later committed suicide. Pierre translates Stachura's poems into French on spec, even though no Quebecois market exists for the international writer's work. Meanwhile, he begins to give away all of his possessions and wander along train tracks. A portrait emerges of a man who has isolated himself from the world almost completely. Whatever existential crisis he is experiencing inside, his outer self betrays almost no emotion. Patrick Drolet plays Pierre with exactly one facial expression (blank detachment) for most of the movie, but that's the character. [Continued ...]...
- 12/10/2012
- QuietEarth.us
Bernard Émond's otherwise cheerful introduction to his new film at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival included soundly attacking an “excess of images,” inciting the first round of booing I heard in response to Tiff's pre-screening L'Oreal ad—inoffensively brief after the umpteenth time any critic inevitably sees it, but whose fashions, models and locations combined surely cost more than some Tiff-selected features.
While All That You Possess grapples with materialism, its careful generosity belies Émond's ferocious sentiments. A standout amongst the fest's world premieres, All That You Possess possesses the numerous pros and sparse cons we've come to expect from Émond's films over the past decade: exacting control over actors, modestly expressive use of space, and intelligent, if slightly schematic story construction. Because of Émond’s affectless performances and minimalistic mise en scène, Bresson comparisons abound; but next to, say, Darezhan Omirbaev’s Student, which adheres so...
While All That You Possess grapples with materialism, its careful generosity belies Émond's ferocious sentiments. A standout amongst the fest's world premieres, All That You Possess possesses the numerous pros and sparse cons we've come to expect from Émond's films over the past decade: exacting control over actors, modestly expressive use of space, and intelligent, if slightly schematic story construction. Because of Émond’s affectless performances and minimalistic mise en scène, Bresson comparisons abound; but next to, say, Darezhan Omirbaev’s Student, which adheres so...
- 10/8/2012
- by Sky Hirschkron
- MUBI
A fourth trailer of the upcoming adventure blockbuster Le poil de la bête has arrived online. The film's release is scheduled for October 1rst.
The story, which was penned by Stéphane J. Bureau and Pierre Daudelin, takes place in 1665 in New France at a time when a part of Canada was colonialized by France. Joseph Côté (Guillaume Lemay-Thivierge) escapes from a prison in order to avoid death by hanging. Moreover, while some colonial soldiers are chasing him, Joseph takes the identity of a jesuit and hides in the seigneury of Beaufort where most men are waiting for "daughhters of the king"(French women who were sent to Canada in order to find a husband).
At night, Joseph finds out that there are werewolves that terrorize the village. Besides, things get complicated when he falls in love with Marie Labotte (Viviane Audet), a "daughter of the king" that no one wants to marry.
The story, which was penned by Stéphane J. Bureau and Pierre Daudelin, takes place in 1665 in New France at a time when a part of Canada was colonialized by France. Joseph Côté (Guillaume Lemay-Thivierge) escapes from a prison in order to avoid death by hanging. Moreover, while some colonial soldiers are chasing him, Joseph takes the identity of a jesuit and hides in the seigneury of Beaufort where most men are waiting for "daughhters of the king"(French women who were sent to Canada in order to find a husband).
At night, Joseph finds out that there are werewolves that terrorize the village. Besides, things get complicated when he falls in love with Marie Labotte (Viviane Audet), a "daughter of the king" that no one wants to marry.
- 9/20/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
While no trailer of the third season of La galère has been released online, Radio-Canada, a French Canadian TV network, did release the promo poster for the show. Moreover, the third season of this comedy series created by Renée-Claude Brazeau will premiere on September 20 at 9 Pm.
In La galère, we follow four women - Stéphanie (Hélène Florent), Mimi (Brigitte Lafleur), Claude (Anne Casabonne) and Isabelle (Geneviève Rochette) - who move into a big house with their seven children. Each of these women want to take a break from their respective husband or boyfriend (or three ex-husbands in the case of Stephanie).
While Radio-Canada hasn't revealed any details about the third season's script, here's what we should remember from the second season:
* Isabelle divorced from her husband, Jacques (Jeff Boudreault). Since Jacques is Quebec's Labour minister, Isabelle intends to compete as an independent candidate against Jacques in the same riding during the upcoming provincial election.
In La galère, we follow four women - Stéphanie (Hélène Florent), Mimi (Brigitte Lafleur), Claude (Anne Casabonne) and Isabelle (Geneviève Rochette) - who move into a big house with their seven children. Each of these women want to take a break from their respective husband or boyfriend (or three ex-husbands in the case of Stephanie).
While Radio-Canada hasn't revealed any details about the third season's script, here's what we should remember from the second season:
* Isabelle divorced from her husband, Jacques (Jeff Boudreault). Since Jacques is Quebec's Labour minister, Isabelle intends to compete as an independent candidate against Jacques in the same riding during the upcoming provincial election.
- 9/10/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
While no trailer for La galère's upcoming third season hasn't been released online, Radio-Canada, a French Canadian TV network, has released a clip of the third season's first episode.
In this show written by Renée-Claude Brazeau, we follow four women - Stéphanie (Hélène Florent), Mimi (Brigitte Lafleur), Claude (Anne Casabonne) and Isabelle (Geneviève Rochette) - who move into a big house with their seven children. Each of these women want to take a break from their respective husband (or three ex-husbands in the case of Stephanie).
Speaking about the clip, we're seeing Isabelle practising her speeches. As a matter of fact, it was revealed in the second season that she intends to compete against her husband, Jacques (Jeff Boudreault), during the upcoming election in Quebec.
The show also stars Anne-Marie Compagna, Rose Adam, Daniel Parent, Pierre-Luc Lafontaine, Patrick Drolet, Jeff Boudreault, François Chénier, Catherine Proulx-Lemay, Marc Paquet and Patrice Godin.
In this show written by Renée-Claude Brazeau, we follow four women - Stéphanie (Hélène Florent), Mimi (Brigitte Lafleur), Claude (Anne Casabonne) and Isabelle (Geneviève Rochette) - who move into a big house with their seven children. Each of these women want to take a break from their respective husband (or three ex-husbands in the case of Stephanie).
Speaking about the clip, we're seeing Isabelle practising her speeches. As a matter of fact, it was revealed in the second season that she intends to compete against her husband, Jacques (Jeff Boudreault), during the upcoming election in Quebec.
The show also stars Anne-Marie Compagna, Rose Adam, Daniel Parent, Pierre-Luc Lafontaine, Patrick Drolet, Jeff Boudreault, François Chénier, Catherine Proulx-Lemay, Marc Paquet and Patrice Godin.
- 8/30/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Fans of La galère, one of the smartest Canadian comedy series will return on Radio-Canada, a French Canadian TV network, on September 20 at 9 Pm.
In this show written by Renée-Claude Brazeau, we follow four women - Stéphanie (Hélène Florent), Mimi (Brigitte Lafleur), Claude (Anne Casabonne) and Isabelle (Geneviève Rochette) - who move into a big house with their seven children. Each of these women want to take a break from their respective husband (or three ex-husbands in the case of Stephanie).
While Radio-Canada hasn't revealed any details about the third season's script, here's what we should remember from the second season:
* Isabelle divorced from her husband, Jacques (Jeff Boudreault). Since Jacques is Quebec's Labour minister, Isabelle intends to compete as an independent candidate against Jacques in the same riding during the upcoming provincial election.
* Claude was about to marry Antoine (Gabriel Sabourin), her long-time boyfriend. However, Antoine revealed to her...
In this show written by Renée-Claude Brazeau, we follow four women - Stéphanie (Hélène Florent), Mimi (Brigitte Lafleur), Claude (Anne Casabonne) and Isabelle (Geneviève Rochette) - who move into a big house with their seven children. Each of these women want to take a break from their respective husband (or three ex-husbands in the case of Stephanie).
While Radio-Canada hasn't revealed any details about the third season's script, here's what we should remember from the second season:
* Isabelle divorced from her husband, Jacques (Jeff Boudreault). Since Jacques is Quebec's Labour minister, Isabelle intends to compete as an independent candidate against Jacques in the same riding during the upcoming provincial election.
* Claude was about to marry Antoine (Gabriel Sabourin), her long-time boyfriend. However, Antoine revealed to her...
- 8/30/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Les Films Séville, a Canadian film distributor, has revealed the second poster of the upcoming blockbuster Le poil de la bête. Moreover, this film directed by Philippe Gagnon will be released in Quebec on October 1, 2010.
The story, which was penned by Stéphane J. Bureau and Pierre Daudelin, takes place in 1665 in New France at a time when a part of Canada was colonialized by France. Joseph Côté (Guillaume Lemay-Thivierge) escapes from a prison in order to avoid death by hanging. Moreover, while some colonial soldiers are chasing him, Joseph takes the identity of a jesuit and hides in the seigneury of Beaufort where most men are waiting for "daughhters of the king"(French women who were sent to Canada in order to find a husband).
At night, Joseph finds out that there are werewolves that terrorize the village. Besides, things get complicated when he falls in love with Marie Labotte...
The story, which was penned by Stéphane J. Bureau and Pierre Daudelin, takes place in 1665 in New France at a time when a part of Canada was colonialized by France. Joseph Côté (Guillaume Lemay-Thivierge) escapes from a prison in order to avoid death by hanging. Moreover, while some colonial soldiers are chasing him, Joseph takes the identity of a jesuit and hides in the seigneury of Beaufort where most men are waiting for "daughhters of the king"(French women who were sent to Canada in order to find a husband).
At night, Joseph finds out that there are werewolves that terrorize the village. Besides, things get complicated when he falls in love with Marie Labotte...
- 7/27/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
While Xavier Dolan's Les amours imaginaires and Noah Pink's ZedCrew are competing at the Cannes Film Festival, other Canadian films will be looking for distributors. Now, let's have a look at the Canadian presence at the 2010 Cannes Film Market.
2 fois une femme
Director: François Deslile
Starring: Evelyne Rompré, Marc Béland, Étienne Laforge, David Boutin, Michelle Rossignol, Marie Brassard, Alexandre Goyette, Catherine de Léan and Brigitte Pogonat
After having her life threatened by her violent husband one night, Catherine heads for northern Quebec with her son under another identity. Slowly, she rebuilds her confidence and rediscovers who she is while trying to win over her son’s affection.
Stained
Director: Karen Lam
Starring: Tinsel Korey, Sonja Bennett, Steph Song, Anna Mae Routledge and Stephen Lobo
When Isabelle’s former lover suddenly appears at her shabby bookstore, she is elated and they resume their relationship. Her protective foster sister, Jennifer,...
2 fois une femme
Director: François Deslile
Starring: Evelyne Rompré, Marc Béland, Étienne Laforge, David Boutin, Michelle Rossignol, Marie Brassard, Alexandre Goyette, Catherine de Léan and Brigitte Pogonat
After having her life threatened by her violent husband one night, Catherine heads for northern Quebec with her son under another identity. Slowly, she rebuilds her confidence and rediscovers who she is while trying to win over her son’s affection.
Stained
Director: Karen Lam
Starring: Tinsel Korey, Sonja Bennett, Steph Song, Anna Mae Routledge and Stephen Lobo
When Isabelle’s former lover suddenly appears at her shabby bookstore, she is elated and they resume their relationship. Her protective foster sister, Jennifer,...
- 5/12/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
A few months ago, The Cultural Post introduced you to the teaser of the upcoming film Le poil de la bête. Now, the full-length trailer of this film directed by Philippe Gagnon has surfaced online.
The story, which was penned by Stéphane J. Bureau and Pierre Daudelin, takes place in 1665 in New France at a time when a part of Canada was colonialized by France. Joseph Côté (Guillaume Lemay-Thivierge) escapes from a prison in order to avoid death by hanging. Moreover, while some colonial soldiers are chasing him, Joseph takes the identity of a jesuit and hides in the seigneury of Beaufort where most men are waiting for "daughhters of the king"(French women who were sent to Canada in order to find a husband).
At night, Joseph finds out that there are werewolves that terrorize the village. Besides, things get complicated when he falls in love with Marie Labotte...
The story, which was penned by Stéphane J. Bureau and Pierre Daudelin, takes place in 1665 in New France at a time when a part of Canada was colonialized by France. Joseph Côté (Guillaume Lemay-Thivierge) escapes from a prison in order to avoid death by hanging. Moreover, while some colonial soldiers are chasing him, Joseph takes the identity of a jesuit and hides in the seigneury of Beaufort where most men are waiting for "daughhters of the king"(French women who were sent to Canada in order to find a husband).
At night, Joseph finds out that there are werewolves that terrorize the village. Besides, things get complicated when he falls in love with Marie Labotte...
- 5/6/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Yesterday, the Genie Awards, Canada's equivalent of the Oscars for those who don't know, were handed out. This year, Polytechnique dominated the Genie Awards and even took the award for Best Motion Picture. However, the presentation of the award on TV and on webcast was too short. Besides, it wasn't a live presentation and not all the awards were shows on TV/webcast. Second Besides: When will a TV network (and not some cable network that few Canadians have) broadcast the Genie Awards? Anyway, without further ado, here's the presentation of the winners.
1. Best Motion Picture
* 3 saisons.
* Before Tomorrow.
* Fifty Dead Men Walking.
* Nurse.Fighter.Boy.
* [Winner] Polytechnique.
2. Achievement in Direction:
* Marie-Hélène Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu for Before Tomorrow.
* Kari Skogland - Fifty Dead Men Walking.
* Charles Officer - Nurse.Fighter.Boy.
* [Winner] Denis Villeneuve - Polytechnique.
* Bruce McDonald - Pontypool.
3. Best Original Screenplay:
* Atom Egoyan - Adoration.
* Émile Gaudreault and Ian Lauzon - De père en flic...
1. Best Motion Picture
* 3 saisons.
* Before Tomorrow.
* Fifty Dead Men Walking.
* Nurse.Fighter.Boy.
* [Winner] Polytechnique.
2. Achievement in Direction:
* Marie-Hélène Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu for Before Tomorrow.
* Kari Skogland - Fifty Dead Men Walking.
* Charles Officer - Nurse.Fighter.Boy.
* [Winner] Denis Villeneuve - Polytechnique.
* Bruce McDonald - Pontypool.
3. Best Original Screenplay:
* Atom Egoyan - Adoration.
* Émile Gaudreault and Ian Lauzon - De père en flic...
- 4/13/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Alliance Vivafilm, a film distributor, announced ([1] and [2]) that L'enfant prodige (aka André Mathieu - Le dernier des romantiques) will have a world premiere on May 9 in Shanghai during the Expo 2010 Shanghai. Afterwards, L'enfant prodige will hit theatres in Quebec on May 28, 2010.
The biopic about Canadian pianist André Mathieu (1929-1968) was produced with a budget of $6 million by Daniel Louis (Les invasions barbares) and Denise Robert (Maurice Richard). It was directed and written by Luc Dionne.
The story follows André Mathieu (Guillaume Lebon plays the child and Patrick Drolet, the adult), a Montreal-born pianist who was described as the "Canadian Mozart" during his childhood. Because of his talent, he will travel in Europe in order to study piano with different great teachers like Arthur Honneger (Marc Béland) and Jacques de la Presle (Patrice Coquereau) just to name a few. Moreover, André Mathieu will also come across Russian pianist Sergei Rachmaninov (Itzhak Finzi...
The biopic about Canadian pianist André Mathieu (1929-1968) was produced with a budget of $6 million by Daniel Louis (Les invasions barbares) and Denise Robert (Maurice Richard). It was directed and written by Luc Dionne.
The story follows André Mathieu (Guillaume Lebon plays the child and Patrick Drolet, the adult), a Montreal-born pianist who was described as the "Canadian Mozart" during his childhood. Because of his talent, he will travel in Europe in order to study piano with different great teachers like Arthur Honneger (Marc Béland) and Jacques de la Presle (Patrice Coquereau) just to name a few. Moreover, André Mathieu will also come across Russian pianist Sergei Rachmaninov (Itzhak Finzi...
- 3/31/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
New York's Museum of Modern Arts (MoMA), in association with Telefilm Canada, will organize the seventh annual Canadian Front. This event will be held from March 17 to March 24, 2010. Moreover, New Yorkers will have the chance to see nine Canadian films.
Obviously, this event should help Canadian films to find a U.S. distributor and allow New Yorkers to see Canadian films that were completed over the last 18 months. As a matter of fact, it was the Canadian Front event that allowed Bruce McDonald's brilliant zombie film Pontypool to be distributed in the USA by IFC Films for instance.
This year, the Canadian Front has in store two comedies, two dramas, two coming-of-age stories, two documentaries and an old classic. Speaking about that classic, the film in question was directed by Allan King, a Canadian director who left us in June 2009 and whose work was the subject of a MoMA retrospective in 2007. So,...
Obviously, this event should help Canadian films to find a U.S. distributor and allow New Yorkers to see Canadian films that were completed over the last 18 months. As a matter of fact, it was the Canadian Front event that allowed Bruce McDonald's brilliant zombie film Pontypool to be distributed in the USA by IFC Films for instance.
This year, the Canadian Front has in store two comedies, two dramas, two coming-of-age stories, two documentaries and an old classic. Speaking about that classic, the film in question was directed by Allan King, a Canadian director who left us in June 2009 and whose work was the subject of a MoMA retrospective in 2007. So,...
- 3/3/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
It's one of those years where the great Atom Egoyan's contribution to cinema is totally insignificant (Adoration received 2 noms) and where Denis Villeneuve's Polytechnique, in my books the best Canadian film of the year, grabbed the high count total of eleven nominations for the 30th Genie Awards. - It's one of those years where the great Atom Egoyan's contribution to cinema is totally insignificant (Adoration received 2 noms) and where Denis Villeneuve's Polytechnique, in my books the best Canadian film of the year, grabbed the high count total of eleven nominations for the 30th Genie Awards. What is somewhat odd is how Canada's most internationally celebrated film in I Killed My Mother (J'ai tue ma mere) from Xavier Dolan receive not one single vote, a crime when you consider the textured writing, fluid cinematography and the brilliant performance from Anne Dorval - who plays the neurotic mother...
- 3/2/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
This morning, the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television (Acct) had announced the nominees for the 30th Genie Awards. For those who don't know, this is the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars. This year, the leader in the race is Polytechnique with 11 nominations. Moreover, the winners will be announced on April 12, 2010.
1. Best Motion Picture
* 3 saisons.
* Before Tomorrow.
* Fifty Dead Men Walking.
* Nurse.Fighter.Boy.
* Polytechnique.
2. Achievement in Direction:
* Marie-Hélène Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu for Before Tomorrow.
* Kari Skogland - Fifty Dead Men Walking.
* Charles Officer - Nurse.Fighter.Boy.
* Denis Villeneuve - Polytechnique.
* Bruce McDonald - Pontypool.
3. Best Original Screenplay:
* Atom Egoyan - Adoration.
* Émile Gaudreault and Ian Lauzon - De père en flic (Father and Guns).
* Charles Officer and Ingrid Veninger - Nurse.Fighter.Boy.
* Jacques Davidts - Polytechnique.
* David Bezmozgis - Victoria Day.
4. Best Adapted Screenplay:
* Marie-Hélène Cousineau, Susan Avingaq and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu - Before Tomorrow.
* Kari Skogland - Fifty Dead Men Walking.
1. Best Motion Picture
* 3 saisons.
* Before Tomorrow.
* Fifty Dead Men Walking.
* Nurse.Fighter.Boy.
* Polytechnique.
2. Achievement in Direction:
* Marie-Hélène Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu for Before Tomorrow.
* Kari Skogland - Fifty Dead Men Walking.
* Charles Officer - Nurse.Fighter.Boy.
* Denis Villeneuve - Polytechnique.
* Bruce McDonald - Pontypool.
3. Best Original Screenplay:
* Atom Egoyan - Adoration.
* Émile Gaudreault and Ian Lauzon - De père en flic (Father and Guns).
* Charles Officer and Ingrid Veninger - Nurse.Fighter.Boy.
* Jacques Davidts - Polytechnique.
* David Bezmozgis - Victoria Day.
4. Best Adapted Screenplay:
* Marie-Hélène Cousineau, Susan Avingaq and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu - Before Tomorrow.
* Kari Skogland - Fifty Dead Men Walking.
- 3/1/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Admit it: You've been waiting for this. The teaser of the upcoming film Le poil de la bête is already online. Moreover, this film directed by Philippe Gagnon will be released on October 1rst, 2010.
The story, which was penned by Stéphane J. Bureau and Pierre Daudelin, takes place in 1665 in New France at a time when a part of Canada was colonialized by France. Joseph Côté (Guillaume Lemay-Thivierge) escapes from a prison in order to avoid death by hanging. Moreover, while some colonial soldiers are chasing him, Joseph takes the identity of a jesuit and hides in the seigneury of Beaufort where most men are waiting for "daughhters of the king"(French women who were sent to Canada in order to find a husband).
At night, Joseph finds out that there are werewolves that terrorize the village. Besides, things get complicated when he falls in love with Marie Labotte (Viviane Audet...
The story, which was penned by Stéphane J. Bureau and Pierre Daudelin, takes place in 1665 in New France at a time when a part of Canada was colonialized by France. Joseph Côté (Guillaume Lemay-Thivierge) escapes from a prison in order to avoid death by hanging. Moreover, while some colonial soldiers are chasing him, Joseph takes the identity of a jesuit and hides in the seigneury of Beaufort where most men are waiting for "daughhters of the king"(French women who were sent to Canada in order to find a husband).
At night, Joseph finds out that there are werewolves that terrorize the village. Besides, things get complicated when he falls in love with Marie Labotte (Viviane Audet...
- 2/18/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Alliance Vivafilm has released online the trailer of L'enfant prodige (aka André Mathieu - Le dernier des romantiques), a biographical drama about the Canadian pianist André Mathieu. The latter will be played by Patrick Drolet (Le grand départ).
The film is shot with a budget of Cdn$6 million and is directed by Luc Dionne (Monica la mitraille).
It follows the life of the Montreal-born André Mathieu (1929-1968) who was referred to as "the little Canadian Mozart". Given that he composed his first musical work at three years old and had an obvious talent in piano, his father, Rodolphe Mathieu (Marc Labrèche), will be his first teacher. Furthermore, as he gets older, André Mathieu will travel to Europe to study the art of playing piano with the greatest masters such as Jacques de la Presle (Patrice Coquereau) or Arthur Honnegger (Marc Béland) just to name a few. However, Mathieu died at...
The film is shot with a budget of Cdn$6 million and is directed by Luc Dionne (Monica la mitraille).
It follows the life of the Montreal-born André Mathieu (1929-1968) who was referred to as "the little Canadian Mozart". Given that he composed his first musical work at three years old and had an obvious talent in piano, his father, Rodolphe Mathieu (Marc Labrèche), will be his first teacher. Furthermore, as he gets older, André Mathieu will travel to Europe to study the art of playing piano with the greatest masters such as Jacques de la Presle (Patrice Coquereau) or Arthur Honnegger (Marc Béland) just to name a few. However, Mathieu died at...
- 1/7/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Screened at Locarno International Film Festival In Competition
Bernard Emond's The Novena is a profoundly moving meditation on aspects of faith and the question of how hope can exist if there is no belief in God.
Set in the beautiful Charlevoix region of Quebec, the film has the pace and mood of an autumnal fugue as two strangers deal with death in separate ways that achieve extraordinary harmony as they come to know one another.
The Novena will appeal to anyone seeking first-class drama on a topic that is challenging but seeks to illuminate the dilemma of whether a non-believer may find spiritual peace equal to that claimed by the truly faithful.
Elise Guilbault gives an unforgettable performance as a Montreal doctor, Jeanne, who is deeply traumatized by an act of violence towards two of her patients. She also lives with the loss of her own son at a young age. Tempted by suicide, the doctor flees to the riverbanks of the St. Lawrence and stops near the basilica of Saint-Anne-de-Beaupry.
There, she encounters a young man named Francois (a fine Patrick Drolet) who has come to pray for his dying grandmother, who has raised him since his parents were killed in a car accident.
Jeanne is a non-believer but she responds to Francois' simple kindness and his observation that Your soul is in anguish.
Flashbacks reveal the extent of Jeanne's trauma while the young man's earnest goodwill leads her to meet his grandmother (Denise Gagnon) who believes that one person's death does not matter, it is only transition. When Jeanne responds quickly and efficiently to provide CPR to a man having a heart attack at St. Anne's, Francois believes she can save his grandmother too.
Emond offers no easy answers save that simple goodness can be all the answer that's needed. Deliberately paced and often deeply melancholy, The Novena is as intelligent and rewarding as films get, and a kind of sanctuary in itself.
Bernard Emond's The Novena is a profoundly moving meditation on aspects of faith and the question of how hope can exist if there is no belief in God.
Set in the beautiful Charlevoix region of Quebec, the film has the pace and mood of an autumnal fugue as two strangers deal with death in separate ways that achieve extraordinary harmony as they come to know one another.
The Novena will appeal to anyone seeking first-class drama on a topic that is challenging but seeks to illuminate the dilemma of whether a non-believer may find spiritual peace equal to that claimed by the truly faithful.
Elise Guilbault gives an unforgettable performance as a Montreal doctor, Jeanne, who is deeply traumatized by an act of violence towards two of her patients. She also lives with the loss of her own son at a young age. Tempted by suicide, the doctor flees to the riverbanks of the St. Lawrence and stops near the basilica of Saint-Anne-de-Beaupry.
There, she encounters a young man named Francois (a fine Patrick Drolet) who has come to pray for his dying grandmother, who has raised him since his parents were killed in a car accident.
Jeanne is a non-believer but she responds to Francois' simple kindness and his observation that Your soul is in anguish.
Flashbacks reveal the extent of Jeanne's trauma while the young man's earnest goodwill leads her to meet his grandmother (Denise Gagnon) who believes that one person's death does not matter, it is only transition. When Jeanne responds quickly and efficiently to provide CPR to a man having a heart attack at St. Anne's, Francois believes she can save his grandmother too.
Emond offers no easy answers save that simple goodness can be all the answer that's needed. Deliberately paced and often deeply melancholy, The Novena is as intelligent and rewarding as films get, and a kind of sanctuary in itself.
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