Philippe Falardeau, Catherine St-Laurent, Antoine-Olivier Pilon and several other Quebecers will fly to Cannes this week to participate in Canneseries, a growing television festival that could possibly have as much impact as a certain film festival. held in the same place.
Presented in parallel with MIPTV, a major international program market that brings together thousands of producers, broadcasters and distributors from all over the world each year, the sixth edition of Canneseries will open on Friday. Three Quebec productions have carved out a place for themselves in competition: Lac-Mégantic – this is not an accidenta documentary series by Philippe Falardeau, Good morning Chuck (or the art of harm reduction)a comedy in 10 episodes with Nicolas Pinson, Marilyn Castonguay and Chantal Fontaine, and seem to goa new fiction for young adults currently airing on Télé-Québec.
For each of the finalist teams, it is a “great showcase” to attract international buyers and travel the planet.
“Canneseries is gaining ground from year to year”, observes Chrystine Girard, of Encore Television, a Montreal box responsible for exporting seem to go. “His pink carpet has become an event. The ceremony is broadcast on Canal+. It creates an echo. It may just help us sell the series. »
A great regular at film festivals, which he has frequented since The left half of the fridgehis first feature film released in 2000, Philippe Falardeau believes that it will take a few more years before a television festival like Canneseries rivals film festivals like Cannes, Toronto and Venice, in terms of notoriety.
Film festivals are all at least 40 years old. It gives them fame. They attract stars, etc. The aura of a festival depends a lot on the people it attracts.
Philippe Falardeau, director
“For the moment, the youth of the series festivals harm them, but I have no trouble believing that one day they will be as big”, indicates the director in an interview.
An unexpected selection
The selection of Lac-Mégantic – this is not an accident surprised Philippe Falardeau. Cut into four one-hour episodes, the series, which will be available on Vrai in early May, promises to paint an unprecedented portrait of the 2013 train tragedy by invalidating the hypothesis of a fortuitous event. “We would have thought that it was a more national subject, but it seems to interest Europeans. »
Reached by telephone, the artistic director of Canneseries, Albin Lewi, speaks of a “moving” work of “exceptional quality”. “It’s an event that talks about the excesses of ultra-capitalism starting from a very specific and very detailed event. »
Before being presented in Cannes, the series will also be shown for the first time to the inhabitants of Lac-Mégantic tomorrow evening, so that they can “learn about the work”, confirms Annie Sirois, executive producer at Trio Orange. .
“A question of survival”
As Lac-Mégantic – this is not an accident, Good morning Chuck (or the art of harm reduction) will also be presented at Canneseries before being served to the general public in Quebec. (Its release on Crave is slated for May.)
Described as a “UFO-esque series of authors tinged with black humor” by Albin Lewi, this dramatic comedy jointly directed by Mathieu Cyr (Between the sea and the bark) and Jean-Francois Rivard (That’s how I love you, The invincibles) depicts the descent into hell of a star animator (Nicolas Pinson) who suffers from drug abuse problems.
PHOTO DANNY TAILLON, PROVIDED BY CRAVE
Nicolas Pinson and Marilyn Castonguay in Good morning Chuck (or the art of harm reduction)
For Lou Bélanger, executive producer and partner at St-Laurent TV, the production company behind good morning chucka selection at Canneseries is of particular importance.
With all the content that comes to us through Netflix and all the other platforms, we have to be able to export our series. Otherwise, it could be problematic very soon. We have to find ways to promote local talent. It’s a question of survival.
Lou Bélanger, executive producer and partner at St-Laurent TV
Competing for short series, seem to go portrays four friends with cystic fibrosis, portrayed by Catherine St-Laurent, Antoine-Olivier Pilon, Noémie Leduc-Vaudry and Joakim Robillard.
Apart from Joakim Robillard, retained at the theatre, the actors will crowd the Croisette to support this “young adults” production directed by Sarah Pellerin. “It’s a series that approaches the disease with an offbeat hyper touching tone”, underlines Albin Lewi, of Canneseries.
According to Annie Bourdeau, vice-president of original productions at Urbania, the “funny and intelligent” texts by author Jean-Christophe Réhel must have resonated within the selection committee. Especially since they reflect an “urgent to live”.
“Being able to make people laugh and cry from scene to scene is quite a challenge. And Jean-Christophe took it up. It’s a story that touches everyone. »
In addition to the works in competition, this year Canneseries will offer a master class led by American actress Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cruel Intentions). The organizers also invited Philippe Falardeau to participate in various workshops reserved for industry professionals.
Last year, the series Audrey came back, from Club illico, had distinguished herself at the festival. She left with two prizes.