Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Marie-Josée Croze | ... | Bibiane Champagne | |
Jean-Nicolas Verreault | ... | Evian | |
Stephanie Morgenstern | ... | Claire Gunderson | |
Pierre Lebeau | ... | The Fish (voice) | |
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Kliment Denchev | ... | Head-Annstein Karlsen (as Klimbo) |
John Dunn-Hill | ... | Fishmonger | |
Marc Gélinas | ... | Stranger in Subway | |
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Bobby Beshro | ... | Philippe Champagne |
Marie-France Lambert | ... | Marie-Jeanne Sirois | |
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Virginie Dubois | ... | Sara |
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Daniel Turcot | ... | Infernal fishmonger |
Luis Oliva | ... | Fishmonger's employee | |
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Darrell Lloyd Tucler | ... | Fishmonger's employee |
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Léo Arguello | ... | Fishmonger's employee |
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Martin Boucher | ... | Driver |
On the surface, twenty-five year old Bibiane Champagne has the perfect life. She is the daughter of the famed Flo Fabert. She co-owns a chain of boutiques in Quebec with her brother, Philippe. But Bibi's life is in shambles. She has just had an abortion. And the boutiques are failing because of her incompetence, which is the result of or has led to her substance abuse. It is also the result of the high expectations on her. Bibi's story is told by a fish awaiting decapitation on a butcher's block, the fish as narrator largely because of the singular and accidental encounter she has with fifty-three year old Norwegian fishmonger, Annstein Karlsen. That encounter leads to a further failed decision by Bibi and a meeting with Annstein's son, Evian Karlsen, who does not know the full extent of Bibi and his father's relationship. Bibi's time with Evian may provide some salvation to her crumbling life. Written by Huggo
There are opening scenes to movies, and then there's Maelstrom! Easily one of the most memorable and daring intro's I've seen in recent memory. I was humming that tune for days! The tale is simple, easy to follow, but I won't give it away - the unusual coincidences and twists in this film should be experienced fresh. However, the course of the story brings the viewer various emotions; frustration and disdain at a young woman engaging in questionable activities (not to mention the crime that she goes relatively unpunished for), humour in foreign situations (a heavy car, fisherman versions of justice), and finally happiness (but I won't say how). Oh, yeah, and it's narrated by a fish! Several fishes, I should say. Which gives the film a quirkiness that's refreshing, given the sometimes dark and depressing subject matter. <you twinkle above us, we twinkle below.......>