Updated yesterday at 9:24 a.m.
“I am so happy that the distributor [Christian Larouche des Films Opale] had the patience to wait for this film to be released on the big screen! exclaims director Éric Tessier on the eve of the birth of you will remember me. “Especially since the themes addressed in this story deserve collective attention,” adds playwright François Archambault.
In you will remember me, the failing memory of a renowned historian, embodied by Rémy Girard, is confronted with that of a nation whose collective memory is struggling to be transmitted to new generations, despite its motto: “I remember”. In a way, Éric Tessier’s film (5150, rue des Ormes and Major Junior At the movie theater ; Runaway on TV) tries to rebuild bridges through the evolution of a relationship between two beings from completely different and, apparently, irreconcilable times.
PHOTO MARLÈNE GÉLINEAU PAYETTE, PROVIDED BY OPALE FILMS
David Boutin, Julie Le Breton and Rémy Girard in you will remember mea film by Éric Tessier
“We feel very clearly this fracture currently, notes the actor. The beauty of this story is that an aging man, who gradually loses a memory that he finds so precious, gradually lets go of his prejudices towards the current young generation. And vice versa. What struck me when reading the script is the great irony of fate that strikes a man who has always liked to assert his knowledge, even with a slightly exhibitionist side, weakened by the disease of forgetting. I found it extraordinary to be able to play a character affected in his personal history, wounded by where he lived. »
an illustrious boomer
During an interview for television during which he displays his knowledge of history rather than discussing his condition, Édouard (Rémy Girard) will first be confronted with his wife (France Castel), then with his daughter Isabelle. (Julie Le Breton), but, above all, to the young daughter of Isabelle’s spouse, Bérénice (Karelle Tremblay). The latter, a little “all crooked, a little shy”, according to the actress, was “recruited” by her father (David Boutin) to accompany Édouard, on whom we must now constantly watch.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
Filmmaker Éric Tessier directed Karelle Tremblay and Rémy Girard in you will remember methe film adaptation of the play by François Archambault.
“The dosage was not easy to find, confides Rémy Girard. You had to be careful not to repeat yourself and avoid relying on tics. I remembered my father, who was affected by this disease. He could switch from one state to another in 30 seconds. It showed in his eyes. At the same time, we shouldn’t fall into the melodrama either, because this character has a sense of humor and a sense of repartee. But it hasn’t always been easy because of the load, the emotion. When I came home at night, I was exhausted. »
A film without the play
When Éric Tessier had the opportunity to read François Archambault’s play, it had not yet been performed on stage.
I had a big crush. It took me a good hour to recover from reading this. A cinematographic vision has already taken shape in a very precise way in my mind, especially since François brought in his text evocations which I immediately thought of in images. I wanted this film to be luminous, with this particular tone that mixes drama and humor.
Eric Tessier, director
The two projects – the play and the film – practically overlapped, with the author also being involved in writing the dialogues in the script for the film adaptation. During his writing work, Éric Tessier had not yet seen the show, created eight years ago at the Théâtre La Licorne.
A different cast
In addition to great critical and public success, the play was marked by a memorable performance by Guy Nadon in the role of Édouard. Taken at the time by the recordings of the television series Ohon which Éric Tessier has already worked as a director, the actor, hailed in the credits, could not resume the role he had created on stage for the big screen.
PHOTO MARLÈNE GÉLINEAU PAYETTE, PROVIDED BY OPALE FILMS
Remy Girard and France Castel in you will remember mea film by Eric Tessier
“I worked with Guy for three years, and it was he who made me read François’ play,” says Éric Tessier. As he was not available, I turned to Rémy, also a great actor. For the other roles, I felt the need to call on a new cast, just to distinguish between the two things, which in no way detracts from the immense memory that spectators who have seen the play in the theater keep. »
Rémy Girard mainly relied on the script to build his character.
“I had not read Jocelyne Saucier’s novel before shooting It was raining birds no more,” notes the man whose performance in Louise Archambault’s film earned him an award at the Canadian Screen Awards. “I think it’s better. The script remains the main tool, but I have also read a lot about the disease. What’s good about this story is that you catch the character when the signs have already manifested, and then you follow him for a year. We are not there at the beginning or at the end. »
you will remember me will open on 41e International Film Festival in Abitibi-Témiscamingue on October 29. It will hit theaters on November 4.