I will remember the soul of his works. “Yesterday again”, I was 20 years old and I discovered a certain Polish director, Kieślowski. His film The Double Life of Veronique changed my life. Without knowing it, I have always looked for this cinematographic upheaval. A few years later I watched Café de Flore by Jean-Marc Vallée. I couldn’t believe my heart to see such sensitivity on film – from the subject itself down to the smallest details. It must be said that he had the gift of editing. His work as an editor is goldsmith’s work, the lace that binds the images together. I then followed his career, amazed by his creativity, his intensity which crossed our screens, television and private, to come and turn our worlds upside down. His talent is unique and precious: it comes from the heart and the soul. His work exuded love for the other. There are people like that. They are rare. Looking at what Jean-Marc Vallée has done is accepting to dive into the unknown, knowing that there will always be a hand extended to support us in the chaos of the world. In short, I will remember his work for the humanism that emerges from it. It seems to me impossible to do such works without being a humanist yourself.
Rachel Bergeron-Cyr
Thank you, Jean-Marc Vallée! I saw CRAZ Y three times at the movies when it came out in 2005. I’ve seen it every year since. This story is mine: a brother I despise, the denial of my homosexuality, the parties Christmas (I was born on December 23), the rejection of my family, etc. And especially the flight and the “attempt” of suicide when he leaves on foot in the desert! It is a universal story filled with hope and humanity. This is why art, whatever the form, exists… It makes us grow, opens us to the world and, above all, it makes us happy and makes us better humans. Jean-Marc Vallée is a master in his field! My condolences to his loved ones.
Dany gravel
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TVA FILMS
CRAZY
Being gay I was touched deeply by the film CRAZY Beyond this fact, a great many Quebecers have recognized themselves there as in no other cinematographic work. From then on, I followed the career of Jean-Marc Vallée. Each work was imbued with an extra soul and humanity. His touch was felt and subtle. And his deep love for music pierced the screen. She was perfectly integrated, almost like a character. The being seemed inhabited by this same humanity during his interviews and he seemed humble and sincere. He and his work will be sorely missed!
Jean-Pierre Lemonde
When i saw the movie CRAZY , I automatically became a fan of Jean-Marc Vallée. Because the accuracy, the accuracy, the atmosphere of this time is overwhelming for a soul nostalgic and in love with music. Subsequently, I saw his other films, which I really liked, but CRAZY. will forever remain the most beautiful of journeys in my guts. Thanks to Jean-Marc Vallée. I think this is the first time that I have mourned a stranger… It shows how he marks our life.
Martine Simard
My first vivid memory: CRAZY , the depth of the characters, the play of all the actors, the images and the soundtrack, which went in all directions and which accompanied the situations brilliantly. I listened to this soundtrack on repeat the day we learned of his death. And I cried. His sensitivity joined me. And what about Big Little Lies, a series that I bought as soon as it was released? In addition to the story of these women in solidarity despite their very different backgrounds, again, the music chosen bewitched me. Jean-Marc Vallée introduced me to artists, songwriters I had never heard of. And yesterday I looked CRAZY. on my tablet. I couldn’t remember some details, and enjoyed all the shots. And above all, I saw him, HIM, make a cameo. And it touched me even more. How is it that the loss of this man touches and moves me so much? Love cannot be explained. It lives. He leaves to mourn not only his family, his friends, his comrades, but also all his fans who, since the first hour, follow this sensitive artist, honesty and passionate about his profession. We will have it in our memory for a long time. Thank you for everything, and rest in peace, Jean-Marc.
Christiane Voinson
Jean-Marc Vallée’s cinema is universal, because it is the human soul that is at the heart of his remarks. He knew how to capture the grandeur, the miseries and the baseness and bring them to the screen with a subtlety that few directors can boast of. I am certain that he has taken Quebec cinema to a whole new level to achieve a sensibility without borders. His untimely death will deprive us of other touching and relevant masterpieces. Sad loss for all the people who loved the man and his work. Very sincere condolences to all his relatives.
Celine Jalbert
During my professional career, I had the immense privilege of meeting Jean-Marc Vallée. A man of great generosity and extraordinary sensitivity. During the filming of Café de Flore, I was informed that he wanted to discuss with me one of his personal projects: doing a humanitarian internship abroad with his sons. We discussed it at length. After our discussion, he invited me to the film set of Café de Flore, late at night. The shooting took place in the apartment of a co-worker at the time. I had the chance to see him direct Hélène Florent and Kevin Parent in an intimate scene with a powerful emotional charge. Intense moment for me. An indelible memory. A combination of circumstances, particularly in terms of the degree of insecurity in the field of our interventions, meant that his project could not materialize with the organization that I was leading at the time (Médecins du monde Canada). At each of our subsequent and fortuitous encounters (we frequented the same restaurant), Jean-Marc took the time to come and say hello and chat with me. Nothing compelled him to do so. I loved the kindness and humility of this man. With his departure, we certainly lose a very great artist, but humanity is separated from a great Man. You will leave a great void. Thank you for everything, Jean-Marc Vallée.
André Bertrand (founding member and CEO of Médecins du Monde Canada from 1997 to 2013)
For me, JMV’s work was a guarantee of quality, authenticity, and truth. An open door with subtlety on the inner world of the characters, without compromise, and with an immense talent to bring its performers to give the best of themselves. I would never have missed one of his productions, television or cinematographic. I loved Big Little Lies and Sharp Objects as much as CRAZY, Dallas Buyers Club Where Wild. A twinkling light has gone out in my little world of film lover … sad …
Anne-Louise Desjardins
CRAZY marked a turning point for the receptivity of local cinema to the people of Quebec. I have fond and upset memories of it.
Suzanne Leblanc