A wide range of emotions ran through the Théâtre Maisonneuve on Monday in Montreal, where the documentary was screened I Am: Celine Dion (I am: Celine Dion). A dose of excitement at the start of the evening, tears, laughter, as well as a momentary but profound disturbance during the screening, and lots and lots of empathy afterwards. All from admirers of the artist, who had found tickets for the occasion.
Nearly a hundred public figures attended the meeting, including Luc Plamondon, Fabienne Larouche, Nathalie Simard, Pierre Karl Péladeau, influencers and several drag queens. But none of them was as feverish as Jonathan Faubert, a 42-year-old Montrealer who was impatient to hear Céline Dion discuss – without filter and unvarnished – the rare and debilitating syndrome that has kept her away from the stage ever since. now four years.
“I can’t wait to see my idol,” he told us, his eyes watering, before returning to his seat.
I can’t wait to find the Céline we know, and the one we didn’t know.
Jonathan Faubert, admirer of Celine Dion
Her partner, David Faubert, who had purchased passes to celebrate their first wedding anniversary, had high expectations of the 102-minute offering from Irene Taylor, the Emmy-winning American filmmaker. “I want to see the real Céline, the one we don’t always have the opportunity to see in interviews. »
Fearing the overflow of emotions, Sabrina Perrone and Amanda Theodoropoulos, two 37-year-old Montrealers, had come prepared. “We brought Kleenex,” Sabrina revealed, pointing to her handbag. Just seeing the trailer, I was already crying…”
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Amanda Theodoropoulos and Sabrina Perrone
Coming from afar
Celine Dion may have been ultra-discreet since 2020, but her fans have not forgotten her. Some had come from very, very far away on Monday to attend the viewing. Among them, we note Natasha Perkins, a 35-year-old Vancouverite, winner of a competition organized by Prime Video, the Amazon platform which will release the feature film.
“I hope to gain insight into Céline’s experience. I hope to better understand what she has been going through for years,” said the woman who has been listening to her songs on repeat since the album. Falling Into Youin 1996.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Natasha Perkins came from Vancouver with her mother, Leona Franz.
Estevam Peric had also traveled thousands of kilometers for Celine Dion, but a few years earlier. Born in Brazil, this superfan discovered the songs of Charlemagne’s star while taking English lessons. “She inspired me so much that I ended up learning French and immigrating to Quebec,” he said. I even managed to buy my house in Charlemagne, his hometown. And I drove a car with a license plate that had his first name on it. »
Hoped return
Like all the Celine Dion admirers with whom we spoke, Natasha Perkins and Estevam Peric firmly believe that the Quebec icon will return to the stage.
She has incredible tenacity. I can feel his will, his determination.
Natasha Perkins, admirer of Celine Dion
“Overnight there will be an announcement of a new show,” said the second. She is incredible, my Celine Dion! »
Same story with Sandra Majchrzak and Nahla Abdelhamid, two 33-year-old admirers. “Céline, she’s my girl,” said Nahla. I would love to see her perform. »
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Sandra Majchrzak and Nahla Abdelhamid
Finally, some news!
The arrival of the documentary I Am: Celine Dion on Prime Video, scheduled for June 25, will come after a major media blitz. In recent weeks, the singer has “broken the silence” several times: in the French edition of the magazine Voguein an interview with Hoda Kotb at NBC, with Adrienne Arsenault at CBC, with Jean-Philippe Dion at TVA, etc.
This avalanche of “open-hearted” interviews has not dampened the enthusiasm of fans. “We all know the expression “no news is good news”… but for Céline, it was different,” commented Hélène Langlais Fortin, an admirer from Boischatel, in the suburbs of Quebec. “It wasn’t normal, this total silence. It was worrying. It suggested that she wasn’t doing well, because she’s always been an open book with her fans. »
“We are happy to finally have the truth,” continued his sister, Nicole Langlais.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Mario Bennet, Bianka Lessard, Nicole Langlais, Hélène Langlais Fortin and Estevam Peric
A big shock
Preceded by a welcome from Sonia Benezra and a speech from Céline Dion, broadcast live from New York, the screening seemed to leave no one indifferent. At times, we could hear sobbing, people wiping their tears. For others, great bursts of laughter.
Shortly before the closing credits appeared, when the camera captured, for several minutes, Celine Dion in full spasm, we could hear a pin drop. The disorder was palpable on the floor. The screening was even suspended when two spectators felt unwell. They were taken care of by the first aid team.
Leaving the Théâtre Maisonneuve, several fans were still upset by the excerpt of extreme vulnerability from Céline Dion. “I wasn’t able to see the final scene, I lowered my head,” admitted Estevam Peric. It’s super upsetting, but I know she’s doing better. It relieves me. »
Also shaken, Jonathan Faubert was happy to have watched a documentary of “great authenticity”.
“I would have liked to take Céline in my arms,” said Hélène Langlais Fortin. I felt all his suffering and I am very moved by it. »
For her part, Natasha Perkins spoke of a film with a “powerful” message: no matter what life throws at us, we must keep moving forward. “But it was horrible to see Céline in pain like that. »