Her name has never appeared on the list of finalists before, but Tanya Lapointe will once again live the experience of Oscar night this Sunday. Having previously covered the ceremony as a journalist, she now attends as executive producer of Dunes.
Posted at 7:00 a.m.
Ask Denis Villeneuve to tell you about Tanya Lapointe and he’ll tell you right away that he couldn’t conceive his work without her.
“She provides me with absolutely essential support in terms of logistics and production,” he explains. She has a formidable instinct, has a sense of humanity, she knows how to manage a team and ensure that everyone can give their best. The People of Legendary Pictures [la société productrice de Dune] love him and give him more and more responsibilities. I am very impressed by the way she managed to impose herself. When people have problems to solve, they call Tanya, not me! »
This professional collaboration began during the filming ofArrival. The former cultural journalist then closely followed the shooting of the film with real interest and deep curiosity.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY WARNER BROS. PICTURES
Tanya Lapointe on the set of Dunes
“The world of cinema has always interested me and I am fascinated by its production, reveals Tanya Lapointe during an interview granted to The Press. Observing everything that was going on, I said to myself that I could perhaps contribute to improving the system. Gradually, I understood that a need for communication was necessary between the different teams, especially since the filming of blade runner 2049, then in a preparatory period, was to take place in Budapest for several months. I have become a bit of a control tower! »
It is, however, by writing The Art and Soul of Blade Runner 2049 that her vocation as a producer was really born. The project of this book has indeed allowed Tanya Lapointe to synthesize the experience she lived through this feature film, to reflect on it and, above all, to discuss with all its artisans. She was able to understand their needs.
I believe my strength is in solving problems before they even arise, in fact avoiding them. You have to have good antennas, make sure that everyone is well and can flourish creatively.
Tanya Lapointe
“I believe that having been a journalist for 15 years at Radio-Canada helped build this bond of trust with the teams,” she adds.
One power couple at Hollywood
Tanya Lapointe and Denis Villeneuve today have the image of a power couple in the world of cinema, but the two lovers were very careful at the start that the one who was first assistant in the post-production ofArrival not be perceived as “the blonde of”.
“On the set of blade runner 2049, people learned that she was also my spouse after only several months, says Denis Villeneuve. Tanya has established herself thanks to her great professionalism and she is highly respected by everyone. »
“I know that working with your spouse is a risk,” adds Tanya Lapointe. But our situation is not unique – think of Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas – and it can very well happen. I’m proud of that. That said, I had a professional life before Denis, and in my opinion, it goes without saying that I can exist in this environment. »
PHOTO JERRITT CLARK, PROVIDED BY THE CANADIAN CONSULATE GENERAL IN LOS ANGELES
Tanya Lapointe and Denis Villeneuve took part in the reception held Thursday at the official residence of the Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles.
Tanya Lapointe does not rule out the possibility of one day producing the film of one or another filmmaker, but let’s say that, for the moment, Denis Villeneuve’s very busy schedule is also hers.
“Besides, we like working together,” she adds. I also produced the documentaries that I directed [50/50 – Le documentaire et Lafortune en papier] and these experiences on smaller budget projects have been very useful to me. Denis’ projects are so demanding that they require full concentration, but I will nevertheless continue to take care of my projects in parallel, on the sidelines of those of Denis. »
A realization project
These projects include the production of a fiction feature film inspired by the Chantal Daigle case, this young woman who, in 1989, had to defend her right to an abortion in the face of a request for an injunction from Jean-Guy Tremblay, the presumed father.
“Karine Vanasse and Nathalie Brigitte Bustos approached me to ensure the realization, but this project is really embryonic, indicates Tanya Lapointe. We are at the screenplay writing stage with Valérie Beaugrand-Champagne. The material is rich and I believe that the way we look at this story today makes it still relevant. »
Does she also have the impression of leading a very different life today than before? Yes and no, answers Tanya Lapointe.
“I feel like everything I’ve been through before has prepared me for my life now. It’s like I knew what I was getting into, what it was going to be like. For example, the reception of the Consul General of Canada held earlier this week, I had already been there seven times as a journalist. I had the same feeling when we met at the Venice Film Festival, a festival that I had also covered when I worked at Radio-Canada. I believe all of these experiences have led me to where I am now. So yes, my life today is different, but it in no way eliminates everything that happened before, on the contrary. »