Having offered nothing on the big screen since You sleep Nicoleeight years ago, Stéphane Lafleur is back in force with viking. This improbable science-fiction tragicomedy fits perfectly into the quirky universe of the one who imposed himself from Continental, a film without a gunhis first feature film, to then refine his style thanks to On familiar ground.
Posted at 7:30 a.m.
By always favoring this hollow humor, very tongue-in-cheek, the filmmaker ventures into one of the most difficult territories to explore, that is, where the deep humanity of individuals must be revealed through the most difficult situations. more absurd. This high-flying exercise, mastered from start to finish, makes this success all the more dazzling.
Co-written with Éric K. Boulianne (prank, Liar), the screenplay is mainly built around the character of David, whom Steve Laplante plays brilliantly. The latter plays a physical education teacher whom we meet when he answers a series of questions as strange as they are surreal, following which he will be recruited for a scientific mission. He who has always dreamed of space will be part of a Quebec team recruited to serve as a mirror to a crew of American astronauts on a mission to the planet Mars.
For two years, David will withdraw from the world to confine himself to a bunker located in a vacant lot in the American Midwest, along with four other acolytes. These five individuals were chosen because their psychological profile is in all respects identical to that of the astronauts who left for a walk on the red planet, even if they do not necessarily share the same gender. Once installed, the members of team B must borrow the first names of their alter ego (David becomes John and his colleague, played by Larissa Corriveau, becomes Steve) and put their whole being at the service of their mission. The goal is to anticipate on Earth the slightest interpersonal problems that could arise between the members of Team A in space. And deal with them before they arise.
Even if, every morning, David receives a message from the real John revealing to him the tenor of his daily mood, the earthly mission will obviously not be able to take place as planned, the “doubles” not always being able to erase completely their nature to marry that of another person.
On the edge of the human condition
Filled with nods, especially to 2001, a space odysseyStanley Kubrick’s masterpiece, beautifully captured by cinematographer Sara Mishara (drunken birds), viking thus explores the confines of the human condition, particularly the clash between existential ambitions and reality, but this film also apostrophes broader themes in passing.
Between the lines, the story also evokes the cultural relationship between Quebec and a powerful neighbor like the United States. Not having the same resources as the science fiction productions produced south of our border, Stéphane Lafleur is having fun playing with this imbalance.
With a tone perfectly modulated by a formidable cast, which also includes Fabiola N. Aladin, Hamza Haq, Denis Houle, Marie Brassard and Martin-David Peters, viking will delight fans of Stéphane Lafleur’s cinema. As a fourth feature film, the filmmaker offers a completely original story, which reveals something of our humanity while eradicating the intrinsic humor that stems from it, sometimes even with poetry. It’s not that common.
viking is currently showing.
Drama
viking
Stephane Lafleur
With Steve Laplante, Larissa Corriveau, Fabiola N. Aladdin
1:44
Indoors