After a hiatus of almost 10 years, Les Contes pour tous, this beloved Quebec children’s film franchise founded by the late Rock Fromseas, returns to our screens with coconut ironme. Greeted by warm applause during its Sunday premiere, Sébastien Gagné’s film should win the hearts of both young audiences and parents nostalgic for the era of The tuque wars.
firm coconut, it was first and foremost the project of its producer and screenwriter, Dominic James, who took over the reins of La Fête productions from Rock Demers in 2015. The company has produced some of the greatest classics of Quebec children’s cinema, including Bach and Bootie, The tuque war And The frog and the whale, under the banner of Tales for All. At the time, Mr. Demers, on the eve of his 80th birthday, was ready to pass the torch. “Rock said to me, ‘It has to be you.’ I was very touched,” says Mr. James.
The latter grew up with Tales for All and was determined to draw inspiration from them to leave his mark on contemporary cinema. “Movies today are often dark. I wanted to move away from this trend and mark a return to the ANDTHE Goonies and the Back to the future of this world to make our children dream and inspire them. »
To achieve this, Dominic James took an interest in a “completely topical” subject, he says. Filmed around Frelighsburg, where he lives, firm coconut follows young Max (Oscar Desgagnés), who starts his own business. With the help of his friends, Charles (Joey Bélanger) and Alice (Emma Bao Linh Tourné), he sets up an organic farm of 300 laying hens, determined not to do like his father (Simon Lacroix), who experiences financial problems.
“In Frelighsburg, we are surrounded by farming families who live off their farms,” says Mr. James. The peasant revolution and entrepreneurship are themes that speak to me a lot. »
The producer was also inspired by the success of Combines et Cie piggy bank, a Tale for all directed by Jean Beaudry, published in 1992, whose story is similar. “The franchise has shown kids that by joining forces, they can do anything. I wanted to bring that idea back. »
Smiles and mascots
Sunday, at the premiere of firm coconutMontreal’s Cinéma Impérial was filled with children and parents, each more enthusiastic than the other at the idea of discovering a new children’s film from home.
The screening was nothing like a usual festival premiere, and it was very good like that. The movie was showing at 2:30 p.m. The kids were whining because the theater didn’t offer popcorn. Chicken mascots had their picture taken with the families. “We’re going to avoid long speeches, because we know you can’t wait to see the film! said Jo-Ann Blouin, FIFEM’s founder and general manager.
If the film turned out to be beautiful and touching, even more beautiful was the crowd which applauded and laughed heartily. “I liked it, I found it very moving. I think it’s the first Quebec youth film [en prises de vues réelles] that I see, ”confided little Benjamin Loyer after the screening. His mother, Ruby, was equally enthusiastic: “My generation grew up with The tuque war And Bach and Bootie, so my sister and I were very happy. »
Thomas Charpentier, 8, accompanied by his little sisters, Charlie and Léa, agreed. “I liked it, it was funny, it was interesting. I loved all the characters,” he says.
Laurence Jolly, another young film buff, preferred the character of Alice, who developed the small farm’s social media strategy. “She was nice! she said with a shy smile.
Tribute to Rock Demers
For Jo-Ann Blouin, there is no doubt that the challenge of relaunching the Rock Demers franchise was met with flying colors by Dominic James and Sébastien Gagné. “I really like that movie. For a long time, children’s films were considered a by-product in Quebec, but this one is funny, it’s ambitious, it will be shown all over the province — and not just during school break! »
Mme Blouin, who knew Mr. Demers well, paid him a heartfelt tribute before the screening. She also reiterated her commitment to “bringing out her mission” by awarding the second Rock-Demers prize to distributor Chantal Pagé, president, founder and general manager of Maison 4:3. This prize was created last year, shortly after the death of the producer, to reward actors in the community who value local youth cinema. Mme Pagé precisely distributes Katak, the brave beluga this year, also presented at FIFEM.