Cinema | 7th art for everyone and everywhere!

Good news for outdoor cinema lovers. 7^e art is in the spotlight all over the city, with a selection that is as rich as it is varied, local and international, entertaining and engaging. And this, throughout the summer. It’s priceless, but it’s (very often) free! Four programs chosen.

Silvia Galipeau
The Press

In a neighborhood near you

Young and old cinephiles are spoiled here. The gardens, parks and parking lots of Verdun, LaSalle, L’Île-des-Sœurs, Saint-Michel and for the first year Verchères are hosting a host of free outdoor screenings this summer as part of Ciné-Quartier. With films of choice. It starts this Friday, at the Center Henri-Lemieux, in LaSalle, with CRAZY, tribute to Jean-Marc Vallée, on this national holiday evening. In bulk and in disorder, some titles not to be missed, in Verdun, in particular: The treasure of Little Nicolas (July 29), norbourg (August 3) and Felix and the Treasure of Morgäa (August 19). In Saint-Michel, citizens will be invited to vote for the film to be screened, while in Verchères, women will be in the spotlight, with the screening of three female documentaries. Note that indoor screenings are also on the menu here, including short family films.

Documentaries engaged under the stars

Here we go again for a 13^e edition of Cinema under the stars of Tightrope walkers media. Starting next week and until September 9, we are being offered no less than 70 documentaries, including 55 free screenings, all in around twenty parks all over the city. On the menu, films from here and elsewhere, both mainstream and more niche, dealing with environmental, social and feminist issues, with a clear desire for cultural democratization. Discussions will follow the screenings. The festivities begin on Wednesday, June 29 at 7 p.m. in Baldwin Park, with, and in Canadian premiere, The energy of the gods, by the French Laetitia Moller, a film that promises to rock, on the journey of a group of four autistic young people, led by an educator truly passionate about art (and less about education). Notice to those interested: a musical performance will follow!

Cine-police

Good news for crime lovers: Film Noir au Canal, the cult detective film festival on the banks of the Lachine Canal, is back this year, after a prolonged absence of two years. On the menu: six free surprise screenings, every Sunday, from July 17 to August 21, from sunset. The formula, well known to regulars, remains unchanged this year: the title of the film, chosen by a team of keen moviegoers, is only revealed a few days before D-Day; whether you are on foot, by bike or by kayak, meet at 7 p.m. at Saint-Patrick Square, corner of Wellington and Saint-Patrick; a musical performance and a presentation by a chosen guest precede each performance. It is moreover rear window which kicks off the festival this year (around 9 p.m.). Louis Belanger (gas bar blues, Post mortem) will also present this Hitchcock classic (1954), starring Grace Kelly and James Stewart (in the original version with subtitles).

Cult evenings

Cult movie lovers, this is for you. The Public Cinema, in collaboration with the Livart, offers Bleu Soir, a unique event for informed film lovers. From Sunday to Thursday, the inner courtyard of the former presbytery on rue Saint-Denis is transformed into an open-air cinema. On the program, from June 26: a series of 45 screenings, in an intimate yet festive atmosphere, bar service extra. The season gets off to a strong start on Sunday with Bernadette’s true nature, classic by Gilles Carle, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, in the presence of Micheline Lanctôt and Donald Pilon. Will follow, and throughout the summer, among other new releases and award-winning films, Noémie says yes (Genevieve Albert), Tuoa’s Diary (Miguel Gomes and Maureen Fazendeiro) and On the way ! (Panah Panahi). A solar theme, a Les insomniacs series and special events will be added to the program. Please note that places are limited; $15 per person.