“Quebec cinema needs love, perhaps more than ever”, launched at a press conference Christine Beaulieu, co-spokesperson with Emmanuel Schwartz of the 41are Rendez-vous Quebec Cinema (RVQC).
Christine Beaulieu stars in five of the 300 films to be screened, including the thriller Borders by Guy Edoin. She plays the sister of a woman (Pascale Bussières) convinced that her farm in the Eastern Townships is haunted.
Éric K. Boulianne, behind the scripts for the opening and closing films, the adaptation of Stéphane Larue’s bestselling book The plunger produced by Francis Leclerc, and farador, a comedy by Édouard Tremblay, will give a master class on February 25. That’s not all: it also plays a role in farador and he co-wrote the screenplay for the film vikingreleased in 2022, which will be presented during the RVCQ.
Guillaume Cyr, whose 24e and 25e Quebec films he shot will be released in 2023 (Bungalow And The pack), will host the gala Prends ça court on March 2! and he confirmed the presence of Denis Villeneuve for the presentation of the second Coup de Coeur prize which bears his name.
At the press conference held Monday morning, we could also see Éric Bruneau, who will star in the film Twilight for a killer by Raymond Saint-Jean, as well as Guillaume Lambert, who will present a commented version of his film niagara.
Big screen experience
In total, 50 feature-length fiction films will be presented, 32 feature-length documentaries, 32 animated films and 156 short films, including AT Hardon by John Blouin A dog’s night by Max Woodward and Pacific Bell by Sandrine Bechade.
The public will be able to see the documentary for the first time James by Lysandre Leduc-Boudreau, a tribute to a great Nordic explorer, Jacques Duhoux, who persists at the age of 85 in living on the fringes of the world.
Among the approximately 75 other premieres announced by Colette Loumède, programmer of documentary feature films, let us mention The secret order by Phil Comeau, which recounts the pan-Canadian militant actions of the Ordre de Jacques-Cartier from 1926 to 1965 to ensure the survival of the French language.
Colette Loumède described as “shooting stars” the rare documentaries that sneak into cinemas, hence the interest in seeing them as part of the RVQC. She assures that “the visual and sound forest bath” and without words of Robert Morin 7 landscapes is “an experience that you have to live indoors with others”.
Competitions and retrospectives
The Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma have their own competitive sections. A total of 12 prizes will be awarded among the 145 films in competition.
We also make room for the best of cinema from the past with anniversary screenings for Gas Bar Blues by Louis Belanger, The red violin by Francois Girard and Once Upon a Time in the East of André Brassard, who died last year.
The public will also be able to see in “special presentation” Origin of a cry by Robin Aubert which starred the late Jean Lapointe, to whom the Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma is dedicated.
We will also pay tribute to filmmaker Jeff Barnaby, who died last year, through his film Rhymes for Young Ghouls. “An inspiration for all Aboriginal filmmakers,” said Sylvie Quenneville, Executive Director of Québec Cinéma.
As for the little ones, not only will they be able to attend the preview of the animated film Katak, the brave belugabut they will be able to walk a red carpet.
In the words of its director Valentin Verrier, the RVQC are certainly a “tasty mix” where moviegoers and craftsmen have many opportunities to meet.
Reflect on the outreach and promotion of films
At the same date last year, the cinemas were closed, so that the RVQC had been postponed exceptionally in April.
As we return to normal programming, Sylvie Quenneville praises “the beauty, richness and diversity” of Quebec cinema at a time when it is particularly important to reflect on its “vitality” and its “radiance”.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Christine Beaulieu, co-spokesperson for the RVQC, Sylvie Quenneville, director of Québec Cinéma, and Guillaume Cyr, who will host the Prends ça court!
Last year, the market share of Quebec cinema was 7.3%, which was below expectations. By the mid-2000s, they had peaked at 18.2%.
On March 2, the RVQC have planned a major discussion on the promotion and development of audiences, as well as on the possible renewed formula of the Québec Cinéma gala. “It’s the biggest showcase for Quebec cinema. I want to hear the voice of the middle”, launched Sylvie Quenneville.
“The gala is not dead”, assured The Press the general manager of Québec Cinéma, who hopes to hold a ceremony in the fall. Especially since it’s the year of the 25e anniversary.