Les Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma (RVQC) opens on Wednesday with the premiere of the film Noémie says yes, by Genevieve Albert. However, when Sylvie Quenneville, the new general manager of Québec cinema, who is overseeing the event, is asked if it is intimidating to take office in the year when the RVQC celebrates its 40th anniversary, the main interested party bursts out laugh. “Not to mention the pandemic,” she adds. This is called a baptism of fire. Far from making her dizzy, this particular context stimulates Sylvie Quenneville, who thrives on challenges.
“I feel all this heritage, all that has been done before me… I want to represent this fortieth one. I bear this responsibility. I want to live up to and build on what has been done so far. That’s kind of what made us move the event, which is usually held in February. A little before the holidays, this other COVID emergency that we didn’t see coming, made us think. Did we want to offer a virtual event? Very quickly, I said to myself that, no, it was impossible for the fortieth to take place other than with the people there. The Rendez-vous is the encounter; it is the DNA of the event. Hence the bet to move it to April. »
Founded in 1982, the Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois, which became the Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma in 2018, offers film buffs the opportunity to discover or rediscover the productions of the past year, but also to attend various lectures and other lessons in cinema which are willingly attended by a host of distinguished guests each year (see our suggestions in the boxes in B3).
Essential meeting place
For people in the community, the RVQC are also a precious moment of reunion; an essential place for exchange and discussion.
“It has become a space for reflection and pooling of talents between established and emerging filmmakers, confirms Sylvie Quenneville. Meetings are as important as film programming. We see the films, then we can discuss with their artisans: this is what allows us to have a 360 degree understanding of our cinema. »
According to Sylvie Quenneville, the RVQCs have developed a lot, have grown in size. “But always with this vision of the influence of Quebec cinema,” she notes. By joining Québec Cinéma, Les Rendez-vous have grown while partnering with other brands, and I think that’s smart. »
It has become a space for reflection and pooling of talents between established and emerging filmmakers. Meetings are as important as film programming.
Unstable environment
In recent years, there has been movement within the RVQC, which Sylvie Quenneville is well aware of. “It is certain that I aspire to establish stability in key positions. But the pandemic and the workforce crisis have affected us too, that’s for sure. »
Above all, Sylvie Quenneville aims to put her expertise and her passion at the service of Quebec cinema.
“I am inhabited by the desire to make our cinema accessible: I want it to be seen. When I arrived in office, I wondered what I could do in this direction. I had this idea of bringing Québec Cinéma to the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles. I negotiated this agreement so that we have this new window. Already, I feel that it takes the organism elsewhere; I see the potential. The love of our cinema, of our culture, these are fundamental values for me. »
Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma takes place from April 20 to 30. Info at rendez-vous.quebeccinema.ca.