Roméo Onze (English title: Romeo Eleven)
Directed by Ivan Grbovic
Screenplay by Sara Mishara and Ivan Grbovic
Canada, 2011
If the past two years are any indication, the face of Québec cinema has changed dramatically. Make no mistake about it, there are still plenty of fine films which feature as their central characters men and women regularly designated as ‘Québécois de souches’ (born and bred Québécois whose ancestral ties to the province go back a generation or two), but if Incendies and Monsieur Lazhar, both of which attained Oscar nominee status in consecutive years, have proved anything, it is that la Belle Province has far more cultural complexity to offer than in decades past, which in turn produces a much wider array of possible stories to share. The trend continues with writer-director Ivan Grbovic’s first feature length picture, Roméo Onze, which explores the trials and tribulations of a handicapped Montreal teen of Lebanese descent.
Directed by Ivan Grbovic
Screenplay by Sara Mishara and Ivan Grbovic
Canada, 2011
If the past two years are any indication, the face of Québec cinema has changed dramatically. Make no mistake about it, there are still plenty of fine films which feature as their central characters men and women regularly designated as ‘Québécois de souches’ (born and bred Québécois whose ancestral ties to the province go back a generation or two), but if Incendies and Monsieur Lazhar, both of which attained Oscar nominee status in consecutive years, have proved anything, it is that la Belle Province has far more cultural complexity to offer than in decades past, which in turn produces a much wider array of possible stories to share. The trend continues with writer-director Ivan Grbovic’s first feature length picture, Roméo Onze, which explores the trials and tribulations of a handicapped Montreal teen of Lebanese descent.
- 2/28/2012
- by Edgar Chaput
- SoundOnSight
As we roll into Berlin where War Witch (aka Rebelle) (Isa: Films Distribution) by Kim Nguyen is in Competition. While it’s Kim’s 4th feature, this is the first of his films to have a world premiere at an international festival. This is exceptional as well because the last time the Canadians had a Canadian director in Competition at the Berlinale was in 1999 with Emporte-Moi ! Guy Madden’s Keyhole holds a Berlinale Special slot. Guy is Canada’s cultural ambassador in Berlin and a regular at the Festival and sat on the Berlinale’s Official Jury last year – with Isabella Rossellini.
Sheldon Larry’s Leave It on the Floor (Isa: Arrow) is a U.S.-Canadian Co-pro which has played Laff, Tiff and is now in the Panorama.
Films in the Forum include Green Laser by another Berlinale favorite, John Greyson. Green Laser is his 8th film at the festival. His first was Urinal in 1989. Denis Côté’s Bestiary, straight from Sundance, and Francine, the first narrative feature by Melanie Shatzky (Canada) and Brian M. Cassidy (U.S.) the team that directed Patron Saints (Tiff 2011, Rotterdam 2012) are are all in the Forum.
4 films are in the Forum Expanded:
Chris Kennedy’s 349 (For Sol LeWitt)(1min long!) in Tiff 2011 Wavelength Program: Schedule
American Colour, Tiff 2011 Wavelength Program: Schedule
Road Movie by Elle Flanders and Tamira Sawatzkystarring Melissa Leo (Frozen River) Tiff 2011 Future Projections: Schedule, a 6-channel installation produced by The National Film Board of Canada. Elle Flanders’ documentary Zero Degrees of Separation was screened in the Forum section of the Berlin Festival in 2005.
The Tiny Ventriloquist by Steve Reinke, (with contribution from James Richards). The installation will be presented at the McLuhan Salon of the Canadian Embassy
In Berlinale Shorts Competition, The Man That Got Away by Trevor Anderson is his second film in this section (2009 The Island). His doc short The High Leve Bridge was in Sundance in 2010.
All we have to do now is wait to see which prizes go to them! Last year Canadian productions came away with three.
Perspective Canada will present 16 titles at the Market:
Café de Flore - Jean-Marc Vallée, Films Distribution, France
China Heavyweight (Straight from Sundance) - doc - Yung Chang Cat & Docs, France & EyeSteelFilms
Décharge (Trash) - Benoit Pilon, eOne
Edwin Boyd - Nathan Morlando, Myriad Pictures, USA
French Kiss - Sylvain Archambault ,Delphis
Goon - Michael Dowse, Myriad Pictures, USA
La Peur de l'eau - Gabriel Pelletier, eOne
Marécages - Guy Édoin, Fortissimo Films
Monsieur Lazhar - Philippe Falardeau, Films Distribution, France
Nuit #1 - Anne Émond, Wide Management, France
Payback (Straight from Sundance) - doc- Jennifer Baichwal, National Film Board of Canada
Pink Ribbons - doc - Léa Pool, National Film Board of Canada
Pour l'amour de dieu - Micheline Lanctôt, Filmoption
Roméo onze - Ivan Grbovic, Reprise Films
Surviving Progress - doc- Mathieu Roy + Harold Crooks, National Film Board of Canada
Take this Waltz - Sarah Polley, TF1 International, France...
Sheldon Larry’s Leave It on the Floor (Isa: Arrow) is a U.S.-Canadian Co-pro which has played Laff, Tiff and is now in the Panorama.
Films in the Forum include Green Laser by another Berlinale favorite, John Greyson. Green Laser is his 8th film at the festival. His first was Urinal in 1989. Denis Côté’s Bestiary, straight from Sundance, and Francine, the first narrative feature by Melanie Shatzky (Canada) and Brian M. Cassidy (U.S.) the team that directed Patron Saints (Tiff 2011, Rotterdam 2012) are are all in the Forum.
4 films are in the Forum Expanded:
Chris Kennedy’s 349 (For Sol LeWitt)(1min long!) in Tiff 2011 Wavelength Program: Schedule
American Colour, Tiff 2011 Wavelength Program: Schedule
Road Movie by Elle Flanders and Tamira Sawatzkystarring Melissa Leo (Frozen River) Tiff 2011 Future Projections: Schedule, a 6-channel installation produced by The National Film Board of Canada. Elle Flanders’ documentary Zero Degrees of Separation was screened in the Forum section of the Berlin Festival in 2005.
The Tiny Ventriloquist by Steve Reinke, (with contribution from James Richards). The installation will be presented at the McLuhan Salon of the Canadian Embassy
In Berlinale Shorts Competition, The Man That Got Away by Trevor Anderson is his second film in this section (2009 The Island). His doc short The High Leve Bridge was in Sundance in 2010.
All we have to do now is wait to see which prizes go to them! Last year Canadian productions came away with three.
Perspective Canada will present 16 titles at the Market:
Café de Flore - Jean-Marc Vallée, Films Distribution, France
China Heavyweight (Straight from Sundance) - doc - Yung Chang Cat & Docs, France & EyeSteelFilms
Décharge (Trash) - Benoit Pilon, eOne
Edwin Boyd - Nathan Morlando, Myriad Pictures, USA
French Kiss - Sylvain Archambault ,Delphis
Goon - Michael Dowse, Myriad Pictures, USA
La Peur de l'eau - Gabriel Pelletier, eOne
Marécages - Guy Édoin, Fortissimo Films
Monsieur Lazhar - Philippe Falardeau, Films Distribution, France
Nuit #1 - Anne Émond, Wide Management, France
Payback (Straight from Sundance) - doc- Jennifer Baichwal, National Film Board of Canada
Pink Ribbons - doc - Léa Pool, National Film Board of Canada
Pour l'amour de dieu - Micheline Lanctôt, Filmoption
Roméo onze - Ivan Grbovic, Reprise Films
Surviving Progress - doc- Mathieu Roy + Harold Crooks, National Film Board of Canada
Take this Waltz - Sarah Polley, TF1 International, France...
- 2/11/2012
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Who is Rami? Or better yet, who should Rami be? It’s the question he fears to ask himself while the people surrounding him attempt to give the answer. Should he be the accounting major at university his father pushes him to be? Should he be out trying to meet nice young girls to make his mother happy? How about the amiable brother that escorts his sister around town so she can have college life fun away from her more traditional family? Or maybe Rami is simply a physically-disabled young man without a clue as to what his next step will be.
Not wanting to be any of the above, he decides to live out a fantasy online as ‘romeo11’. Through this persona he can delete all those parts of himself that have caused such grief his entire life. By appropriating bits and pieces of the many Ramis the world wishes he could be,...
Not wanting to be any of the above, he decides to live out a fantasy online as ‘romeo11’. Through this persona he can delete all those parts of himself that have caused such grief his entire life. By appropriating bits and pieces of the many Ramis the world wishes he could be,...
- 9/11/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Montreal's Festival du nouveau cinéma (Fnc), which will be held from October 12 to 23, revealed to day its line-up of Canadian films. These films will be part of the Focus Québec/Canada category. The latter will be opened by the documentary Surviving Progress, by Mathieu Roy and Harold Crooks, on October 13.
This documentary is based on the bestselling book A Short History of Progress, by Ronald Wright. It questions the bright side and the perils of progress through interviews with people such as David Suzuki, Margaret Atwood or even Stephen Hawking.
The film will also be accompanied by another documentary called Fortunate Son, which was directed by Montreal-based documentarist Tony Asimakopoulos. This documentary is an auto-biography about how a drug-addict almost destroyed his family.
As for feature films, the Fnc will screen some films that were at the Toronto International Film Festival. Among them is Amy George, a teen drama by Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas.
This documentary is based on the bestselling book A Short History of Progress, by Ronald Wright. It questions the bright side and the perils of progress through interviews with people such as David Suzuki, Margaret Atwood or even Stephen Hawking.
The film will also be accompanied by another documentary called Fortunate Son, which was directed by Montreal-based documentarist Tony Asimakopoulos. This documentary is an auto-biography about how a drug-addict almost destroyed his family.
As for feature films, the Fnc will screen some films that were at the Toronto International Film Festival. Among them is Amy George, a teen drama by Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas.
- 9/8/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
A Dangerous Method
Although I'm not a fan of biopic, I'm a little bit fascinated by how Sigmund Freud developed his own brand of psychology. Besides, any film directed by David Cronenberg, one of Canada's finest, is an event. Add to this the wonderful cast made of Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender and Keira Knightley. Date of release: December 23.
Monsieur Lazhar
This film won't be a box-office success in Quebec because it features a foreign actor (French comedian Fellag) and a character who's supposed to be an immigrant. Yes, many Quebeckers are that close-minded. However, once in a while, it's a blessing to see that some Quebecker directors - in this case Philippe Falardeau - try to talk about immigration in films. Date of release: October 28.
Roméo Onze
Well, we've been hearing about this film during the summer and this might be the best film ever made by a Quebecker from ethnic minorities.
Although I'm not a fan of biopic, I'm a little bit fascinated by how Sigmund Freud developed his own brand of psychology. Besides, any film directed by David Cronenberg, one of Canada's finest, is an event. Add to this the wonderful cast made of Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender and Keira Knightley. Date of release: December 23.
Monsieur Lazhar
This film won't be a box-office success in Quebec because it features a foreign actor (French comedian Fellag) and a character who's supposed to be an immigrant. Yes, many Quebeckers are that close-minded. However, once in a while, it's a blessing to see that some Quebecker directors - in this case Philippe Falardeau - try to talk about immigration in films. Date of release: October 28.
Roméo Onze
Well, we've been hearing about this film during the summer and this might be the best film ever made by a Quebecker from ethnic minorities.
- 9/3/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Although Métropole Films Distribution, a Canadian film distributor, didn't officially release the trailer of Roméo Onze, Reprise Films, a production company, uploaded today a first trailer.
Nonetheless, we know that the story takes place in Montreal. We follow a young man (Ali Ammar) of Lebanese heritage who is in a wheel chair. Despite having a very protective father (Joseph Bou Nassar), the young man tries to follow his path.
The film also stars Sanda Bourenane, Éléonore Millier and May Hilal.
Finally, the date of the theatrical release has yet to be announced.
Nonetheless, we know that the story takes place in Montreal. We follow a young man (Ali Ammar) of Lebanese heritage who is in a wheel chair. Despite having a very protective father (Joseph Bou Nassar), the young man tries to follow his path.
The film also stars Sanda Bourenane, Éléonore Millier and May Hilal.
Finally, the date of the theatrical release has yet to be announced.
- 9/3/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Yesterday, the Toronto International Film Festival, which will take place between September 8 and 18, unveiled the list of Canadian films that will be screened.
Galas
A Dangerous Method Director: David Cronenberg Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley and Sarah Gadon
Starbuck
Director: Ken Scott
Cast: Patrick Huard, Antoine Bertrand and Patrick Labbé
Take This Waltz Director: Sarah Polley Cast: Seth Rogen, Michelle Williams and Sarah Silverman
Canada First
Marécages Director: Guy Édoin Cast: Pascale Bussières, Luc Picard, Gabriel Maillé and François Papineau
Amy George Directors: Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas Cast: Gabriel del Castillo Mullally, Claudia Dey, Don Kerr and Natasha Allan
Nuit #1 Director: Anne Émond Cast: Catherine de Léan and Dimitri Storoge
The Odds Directors: Simon Davidson Cast: Tyler Johnston, Calum Worthy and Julia Maxwell
The Patron Saints Directors: Melanie Shatzky and Brian M. Cassidy
Roméo Onze Director: Ivan Grbovic Cast: Ali Ammar, Joseph Bou Nassar, Eleonore Millier, May Hilal...
Galas
A Dangerous Method Director: David Cronenberg Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley and Sarah Gadon
Starbuck
Director: Ken Scott
Cast: Patrick Huard, Antoine Bertrand and Patrick Labbé
Take This Waltz Director: Sarah Polley Cast: Seth Rogen, Michelle Williams and Sarah Silverman
Canada First
Marécages Director: Guy Édoin Cast: Pascale Bussières, Luc Picard, Gabriel Maillé and François Papineau
Amy George Directors: Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas Cast: Gabriel del Castillo Mullally, Claudia Dey, Don Kerr and Natasha Allan
Nuit #1 Director: Anne Émond Cast: Catherine de Léan and Dimitri Storoge
The Odds Directors: Simon Davidson Cast: Tyler Johnston, Calum Worthy and Julia Maxwell
The Patron Saints Directors: Melanie Shatzky and Brian M. Cassidy
Roméo Onze Director: Ivan Grbovic Cast: Ali Ammar, Joseph Bou Nassar, Eleonore Millier, May Hilal...
- 8/10/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
There are a lot of Canadian films screening at the Toronto International Film Festival to be excited about, including works from our favourite filmmakers Guy Maddin, Bruce McDonald,Vincenzo Natali and Jean Marc Vallee. Below is the list of films in the Canada First selections as well as other CanCon movies scattered through the main programs.
Toronto – The Toronto International Film Festival® boasts a strong lineup of Canadian features including new works by acclaimed Canadian filmmakers Carl Bessai, Mike Clattenburg, Michael Dowse, Philippe Falardeau, Guy Maddin, Bruce McDonald, Léa Pool, Jean-Marc Vallée and Ingrid Veninger, and onscreen appearances by Jay Baruchel, Camilla Belle, Anupam Kher, Akshay Kumar, Mia Kirshner, Rob Lowe, Vanessa Paradis, Jason Patric, Alison Pill, Russell Peters, Isabella Rossellini, Liev Schreiber, Sean William Scott, Scott Speedman and Nick Stahl.
“This year saw many Canadian filmmakers address a wide range of pressing social issues including the dangers of progress...
Toronto – The Toronto International Film Festival® boasts a strong lineup of Canadian features including new works by acclaimed Canadian filmmakers Carl Bessai, Mike Clattenburg, Michael Dowse, Philippe Falardeau, Guy Maddin, Bruce McDonald, Léa Pool, Jean-Marc Vallée and Ingrid Veninger, and onscreen appearances by Jay Baruchel, Camilla Belle, Anupam Kher, Akshay Kumar, Mia Kirshner, Rob Lowe, Vanessa Paradis, Jason Patric, Alison Pill, Russell Peters, Isabella Rossellini, Liev Schreiber, Sean William Scott, Scott Speedman and Nick Stahl.
“This year saw many Canadian filmmakers address a wide range of pressing social issues including the dangers of progress...
- 8/9/2011
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Henry David, Sasson Gabai, Sarah Adler in Yossi Madmoni's Restoration Judi Dench, John Turturro, Goran Bregovic: Karlovy Vary 2011 Honorees Grand Prix – Crystal Globe Restoration / Boker Tov, Adon Fidelman Directed by: Yossi Madmoni Israel, 2010 Special Jury Prize Gypsy / Cigán Director: Martin Šulík Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, 2011 Best Director Award Pascal Rabaté for the film Holidays by the Sea France, 2011 Best Actress Award Stine Fischer Christensen for her role in the film Cracks in the Shell / Die Unsichtbare Directed by: Christian Schwochow Germany, 2011 Best Actor Award David Morse for his role in the film Collaborator Directed by: Martin Donovan Canada, USA, 2010 Special Mention Ján Mizigár for his role in the film Gypsy / Cigán Directed by: Martin Šulík Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, 2011 Jocelyn Pook for the music of the film Room 304 / Værelse 304 Directed by: Birgitte Stærmose Denmark, Croatia, 2011 East Of The West – Films In Competition East of the West Award...
- 7/12/2011
- by Steve Montgomery
- Alt Film Guide
Five Canadian films went to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. However, only three won some awards.
In total, Canada got four awards. The film with the most, which means two, is Martin Donovan's Collaborator. It won the Award of International Film Critics (Fipresci), which is a non-statutory award, and a Best Actor Award thanks to the performance of David Morse (John Adams, Treme).
In the Forum of independents, a group for indie films, Aaron Houston's mockumentary Sunflower Hour won the Independent Camera Award.
Moreover, Ivan Grbovic's Roméo Onze won the Special Mention award. Let's mention that producer Paul Barbeau, Ali Ammar and Joseph Bou Nassar, two actors of the film, went on the stage to take the award.
Finally, the theatrical release of these films in Canada have yet to be announced.
In total, Canada got four awards. The film with the most, which means two, is Martin Donovan's Collaborator. It won the Award of International Film Critics (Fipresci), which is a non-statutory award, and a Best Actor Award thanks to the performance of David Morse (John Adams, Treme).
In the Forum of independents, a group for indie films, Aaron Houston's mockumentary Sunflower Hour won the Independent Camera Award.
Moreover, Ivan Grbovic's Roméo Onze won the Special Mention award. Let's mention that producer Paul Barbeau, Ali Ammar and Joseph Bou Nassar, two actors of the film, went on the stage to take the award.
Finally, the theatrical release of these films in Canada have yet to be announced.
- 7/11/2011
- by anhkhoido@gmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Five Canadian films will be presented at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, which will run from July 1 to 9.
The Canadian embassy had a role to play in bringing these Canadian films to Czech Republic. Moreover, the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival will present a tribute to Canadian director Denis Villeneuve (Incendies).
World premieres
Among the five films that will be screened, four will have their world premiere. In the official competition, Canada will be represented by Martin Donovan's Collaborator and Ivan Grbovic's Roméo Onze.
The teen drama Laurentie will be presented out of the competition while Aaron Houston's Sunflower Hour, a mockumentary, will be screened in the Forum of Independents.
Denis Villeneuve
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival's tribute to Denis Villeneuve will consist in screenings.
Four of his feature films will be presented: Un 32 août sur terre, Maelström, Polytechnique and Incendies, which was nominated...
The Canadian embassy had a role to play in bringing these Canadian films to Czech Republic. Moreover, the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival will present a tribute to Canadian director Denis Villeneuve (Incendies).
World premieres
Among the five films that will be screened, four will have their world premiere. In the official competition, Canada will be represented by Martin Donovan's Collaborator and Ivan Grbovic's Roméo Onze.
The teen drama Laurentie will be presented out of the competition while Aaron Houston's Sunflower Hour, a mockumentary, will be screened in the Forum of Independents.
Denis Villeneuve
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival's tribute to Denis Villeneuve will consist in screenings.
Four of his feature films will be presented: Un 32 août sur terre, Maelström, Polytechnique and Incendies, which was nominated...
- 6/29/2011
- by anhkhoido@gmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Ivan Grbovic's first feature film, Roméo Onze (formerly De grandes espérances) will have its world premiere at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on July 7.
For the moment, the film's theatrical release hasn't been announced.
Nonetheless, we know that the story takes place in Montreal. We follow a young man (Ali Ammar) of Lebanese heritage who is in a wheel chair. Despite having a very protective father (Joseph Bou Nassar), the young man tries to follow his path.
The film also stars Sanda Bourenane, Éléonore Millier and May Hilal.
For the moment, the film's theatrical release hasn't been announced.
Nonetheless, we know that the story takes place in Montreal. We follow a young man (Ali Ammar) of Lebanese heritage who is in a wheel chair. Despite having a very protective father (Joseph Bou Nassar), the young man tries to follow his path.
The film also stars Sanda Bourenane, Éléonore Millier and May Hilal.
- 6/22/2011
- by anhkhoido@gmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
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