These should be joyful times for Emma (Sophie Desmarais). She’s thought of as the top of her class and is about to finish a year-long residency conducting for Orchestre Métropolitain in her hometown of Montreal. There’s talk she might even be up for a permanent position––which would work perfectly now that she’s started seeing one of the group’s cellists (Nour Belkhiria’s Naëlle). Emma should be drinking champagne with friends and celebrating with her family because future dreams are about to become her actual present. Yet her agent can’t help but always applaud their work rather than hers. While a red flag normally, the fact that Patrick (Sylvain Marcel) is also her father means the sirens are deafening.
I say that with hindsight, though. Did I think it at the start? No. Because writer-director Chloé Robichaud does a wonderful job writing their dynamic as complex-yet-successful at the beginning.
I say that with hindsight, though. Did I think it at the start? No. Because writer-director Chloé Robichaud does a wonderful job writing their dynamic as complex-yet-successful at the beginning.
- 9/10/2023
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
Sophie Desmarais plays talented young conductor wrestling with relationships.
Visit Films has acquired worldwide sales rights excluding Canada for Days Of Happiness, Chloé Robichaud’s upcoming world premiere in TIFF Special Presentations.
Days Of Happiness will premiere on September 9 and stars Sophie Desmarais as Emma, a conductor and rising star on the Montreal stage who has a complicated relationship with her father and agent Patrick.
Emma must confront her emotions if she is to succeed in navigating her career and her romantic relationship with Naëlle, a newly separated cellist and mother of a young boy.
Sylvain Marcel and Nour Belkhiria...
Visit Films has acquired worldwide sales rights excluding Canada for Days Of Happiness, Chloé Robichaud’s upcoming world premiere in TIFF Special Presentations.
Days Of Happiness will premiere on September 9 and stars Sophie Desmarais as Emma, a conductor and rising star on the Montreal stage who has a complicated relationship with her father and agent Patrick.
Emma must confront her emotions if she is to succeed in navigating her career and her romantic relationship with Naëlle, a newly separated cellist and mother of a young boy.
Sylvain Marcel and Nour Belkhiria...
- 8/24/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
In an age of information overload, it can sometimes be difficult to discern what is and isn’t true, or what one should trust. Angie (Sophie Desmarais) trusts Benju (Jean-Sébastien Courchesne) enough to let him into her apartment in the middle of the night – after all, they used to be in a relationship, and it’s plain that there is still a deep affection between them – but try as she might, she’s not sure she can believe him when he tells her, quite cheerfully, that he has just been kidnapped and held at knifepoint, especially as he doesn’t have a mark on him. “It sounds like bullshit but it’s not bullshit,” he protests feebly. “Of course it’s not believable.” But he persists. it all began, he explains, when he met a man called Ernest in a public toilet and Ernest convinced him to break into somebody’s house.
- 7/16/2022
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Stuart McBratney’s Don’t Read This On a Plane, which had its world premiere and won the Audience Award at the just-wrapped Dances With Films, has been acquired by Gravitas Ventures. The dramatic comedy is getting a digital release in the U.S. beginning Tuesday.
The pic, a Australia/Romania co-production, stars Sophie Desmarais as Jovana Fey, a novelist who learns that her publisher has gone bankrupt just ahead of a European book tour for her latest work. Penniless and stranded, she hitchhikes and sleeps rough to give readings in bookstores across the continent, testing her resilience daily as she questions whether her dreams are worth the struggle.
Eugene Gilfedder, Allen C Gardner and Dorotheea Petre also star. McBratney also produced alongside Amazing Visuals’ Laszlo Kun. Cardinal Xd, which reps worldwide sales on the film, also secured deals in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Taiwan. The domestic distribution deal was...
The pic, a Australia/Romania co-production, stars Sophie Desmarais as Jovana Fey, a novelist who learns that her publisher has gone bankrupt just ahead of a European book tour for her latest work. Penniless and stranded, she hitchhikes and sleeps rough to give readings in bookstores across the continent, testing her resilience daily as she questions whether her dreams are worth the struggle.
Eugene Gilfedder, Allen C Gardner and Dorotheea Petre also star. McBratney also produced alongside Amazing Visuals’ Laszlo Kun. Cardinal Xd, which reps worldwide sales on the film, also secured deals in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Taiwan. The domestic distribution deal was...
- 9/22/2020
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Antebellum’ Leads Weekly Streaming Lists
Janelle Monae horror thriller “Antebellum” has topped the the lists of the week’s movies streaming on Fandango’s streaming services Vudu and FandangoNOW.
Lionsgate decided in early August to ditch a domestic theatrical release for “Antebellum” amid an uncertain outlook for launching movies at brick-and-mortar theaters due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The movie, directed by Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, had originally been set for an April 24 release that was delayed several times amid the outbreak.
Monae portrays a successful modern-day author who finds herself trapped during the era of American slavery and must find a way to escape from the horrifying reality. The cast includes Eric Lange, Jena Malone, Jack Huston, Kiersey Clemons and Gabourey Sidibe.
‘Residue,’ ‘Feather & Pine’ Win at Mammoth Lakes
The Mammoth Lakes Film Festival has awarded its top prizes to Merawi Gerima’s “Residue” for top narrative feature and...
Janelle Monae horror thriller “Antebellum” has topped the the lists of the week’s movies streaming on Fandango’s streaming services Vudu and FandangoNOW.
Lionsgate decided in early August to ditch a domestic theatrical release for “Antebellum” amid an uncertain outlook for launching movies at brick-and-mortar theaters due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The movie, directed by Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, had originally been set for an April 24 release that was delayed several times amid the outbreak.
Monae portrays a successful modern-day author who finds herself trapped during the era of American slavery and must find a way to escape from the horrifying reality. The cast includes Eric Lange, Jena Malone, Jack Huston, Kiersey Clemons and Gabourey Sidibe.
‘Residue,’ ‘Feather & Pine’ Win at Mammoth Lakes
The Mammoth Lakes Film Festival has awarded its top prizes to Merawi Gerima’s “Residue” for top narrative feature and...
- 9/22/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Cate Blanchett in ‘Stateless.’ (Photo: Ben King).
The first two episodes of Matchbox Pictures’ Stateless and the second series of Bunya Productions’ Mystery Road will have their world premieres at the sixth edition of the Berlin International Film Festival’s Berlinale Series.
In addition, Goalpost’s Dark Victory from writer-director Matthew Saville is among eight titles selected for the Co-Pro Series 2020, which seeks to link projects with international partners.
Adapted from the book by David Marr and Marian Wilkinson, Dark Victory is the story of the Howard government’s refusal to allow Norwegian frieghter Tampa, with hundreds of mainly Afghan refugees on board, to enter Christmas Island.
The Berlinale Series line-up consists of eight series from around the world including Damien Chazelle’s Paris-set musical-drama The Eddy for Netflix, Jason Segel’s AMC series Dispatches from Elswehere and the BBC-HBO Max’s Trigonometry.
“An abundance of topics and...
The first two episodes of Matchbox Pictures’ Stateless and the second series of Bunya Productions’ Mystery Road will have their world premieres at the sixth edition of the Berlin International Film Festival’s Berlinale Series.
In addition, Goalpost’s Dark Victory from writer-director Matthew Saville is among eight titles selected for the Co-Pro Series 2020, which seeks to link projects with international partners.
Adapted from the book by David Marr and Marian Wilkinson, Dark Victory is the story of the Howard government’s refusal to allow Norwegian frieghter Tampa, with hundreds of mainly Afghan refugees on board, to enter Christmas Island.
The Berlinale Series line-up consists of eight series from around the world including Damien Chazelle’s Paris-set musical-drama The Eddy for Netflix, Jason Segel’s AMC series Dispatches from Elswehere and the BBC-HBO Max’s Trigonometry.
“An abundance of topics and...
- 1/14/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
The late Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson is set to return posthumously at the 2020 Berlin Film Festival with the world premiere of a project he directed himself, “Last and First Men,” narrated by Tilda Swinton. The movie is one of several titles announced for Berlinale 2020 ahead of the full lineup reveal later this month. Additional titles heading to Berlin in February include Matteo Garrone’s “Pinocchio,” Nanette Burstein’s “Hillary,” Agnieszka Holland’s “Charlatan,” and Jia Zhang-ke’s “Swimming Out Till The Sea Turns Blue.” Television projects from Jason Segal and Damien Chazelle will also be screened in the Berlinale Series program.
Jóhannsson scored back to back Oscar nominations for Best Original Score in 2015 and 2016 thanks to his music for “The Theory of Everything” and “Sicario.” The latter was one of several collaborations between Jóhannsson and Denis Villeneuve. Jóhannsson’s other score credits include Villeneuve’s “Prisoners” and “Arrival,” plus “Mandy” and “The Mercy.
Jóhannsson scored back to back Oscar nominations for Best Original Score in 2015 and 2016 thanks to his music for “The Theory of Everything” and “Sicario.” The latter was one of several collaborations between Jóhannsson and Denis Villeneuve. Jóhannsson’s other score credits include Villeneuve’s “Prisoners” and “Arrival,” plus “Mandy” and “The Mercy.
- 1/14/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Eight international series to be showcased at the Efm at the Berlinale 2020.
The first two episodes of the Paris-set The Eddy, directed by Damien Chazelle for Netflix, UK romantic comedy Trigonometry, directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari for the BBC and HBO, and Stateless, co-created by and starring Cate Blanchett for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, will all world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival’s 2020 Berlinale Series strand.
Formerly known as Drama Series Days, Berlinale Series is open to the public and runs from February 24-16. A further six international series are also being showcased. All are world premieres apart from...
The first two episodes of the Paris-set The Eddy, directed by Damien Chazelle for Netflix, UK romantic comedy Trigonometry, directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari for the BBC and HBO, and Stateless, co-created by and starring Cate Blanchett for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, will all world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival’s 2020 Berlinale Series strand.
Formerly known as Drama Series Days, Berlinale Series is open to the public and runs from February 24-16. A further six international series are also being showcased. All are world premieres apart from...
- 1/14/2020
- by 88¦Louise Tutt¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
The Berlin Film Festival’s sixth Berlinale Series lineup will include Damien Chazelle’s anticipated Paris-set musical-drama The Eddy for Netflix, Jason Segel’s starry AMC series Dispatches From Elswehere, buzzy Cate Blanchett project Stateless and BBC-HBO Max show Trigonometry.
Moonlight star André Holland leads cast in The Eddy, about a French club owner dealing with the everyday chaos of running a live music venue in the heart of Paris. The festival will show the world premiere of the show’s first two episodes.
The compact, high-quality lineup also includes German-language drama Freud. Scroll down for the lineup in full and details about each show.
This is the first program for new Berlinale Series head Julia Fidel who previously worked on the festival’s Panorama and Generation strands. The dramas will screen at the Zoo Palast cinema, which will also host the Berlinale Series Market, formerly known as Drama Series Days.
Moonlight star André Holland leads cast in The Eddy, about a French club owner dealing with the everyday chaos of running a live music venue in the heart of Paris. The festival will show the world premiere of the show’s first two episodes.
The compact, high-quality lineup also includes German-language drama Freud. Scroll down for the lineup in full and details about each show.
This is the first program for new Berlinale Series head Julia Fidel who previously worked on the festival’s Panorama and Generation strands. The dramas will screen at the Zoo Palast cinema, which will also host the Berlinale Series Market, formerly known as Drama Series Days.
- 1/14/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Mongrel International has come on board to sell international rights to Guy Maddin’s Sundance-bound film.
Evan Johnson co-directed The Forbidden Room, a New Frontiers selection about a submarine crew, a feared pack of forest bandits, a famous surgeon and a battalion of child soldiers.
Cast members include Mathieu Amalric, Louis Negin, Geraldine Chaplin, Udo Kier, Sophie Desmarais, Roy Dupuis, Maria De Madeiros, Charlotte Rampling, Karine Vanasse, Jacques Nolot, Caroline Dhavernas and Clara Furey.
Phi Films, Buffalo Gal Pictures and the Nfb produced The Forbidden Room.
”The Forbidden Room is lush, fast, funny, and heady,” said head of Mongrel International Charlotte Mickie.
“Simply put it is The True History of Film in all its dream-like and phantasmagoric splendour – evoking a fantastic rep cinema 70s vibe.
“Hedy Lamarr gave us Ecstasy – how we miss her. But Guy and Evan are giving us ecstasy again and climaxes (so many climaxes!), just when our souls are crying out for exactly...
Evan Johnson co-directed The Forbidden Room, a New Frontiers selection about a submarine crew, a feared pack of forest bandits, a famous surgeon and a battalion of child soldiers.
Cast members include Mathieu Amalric, Louis Negin, Geraldine Chaplin, Udo Kier, Sophie Desmarais, Roy Dupuis, Maria De Madeiros, Charlotte Rampling, Karine Vanasse, Jacques Nolot, Caroline Dhavernas and Clara Furey.
Phi Films, Buffalo Gal Pictures and the Nfb produced The Forbidden Room.
”The Forbidden Room is lush, fast, funny, and heady,” said head of Mongrel International Charlotte Mickie.
“Simply put it is The True History of Film in all its dream-like and phantasmagoric splendour – evoking a fantastic rep cinema 70s vibe.
“Hedy Lamarr gave us Ecstasy – how we miss her. But Guy and Evan are giving us ecstasy again and climaxes (so many climaxes!), just when our souls are crying out for exactly...
- 12/16/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The 43rd edition of the Festival du nouveau cinéma showcases the best new films and filmmakers from around the world. The festival which has often been described as ‘ baby-tiff’ – picks up the best from Berlinale, Cannes, Venice, Telluride, Toronto and more – and demonstrates the vibrancy of filmmaking in all its forms and for all audiences. The fest has announced the first wave of films from Quebec and Canada in their lineup. Once again this year, the Festival will be putting local cinema in the limelight by screening some much-awaited works spread out over several programs, including the International Competition – Louve d’or, Focus, Fnc Lab, Panorama and Special Presentation for the features as well as a variety of short film programs.
The Fnc will present the much-awaited Félix and Meira (Félix et Meira), the new film by Maxime Giroux (whose Jo pour Jonathan was shown in 2010), the tale of an...
The Fnc will present the much-awaited Félix and Meira (Félix et Meira), the new film by Maxime Giroux (whose Jo pour Jonathan was shown in 2010), the tale of an...
- 9/12/2014
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Tiff may be a showcase for cinema from around the world, but it’s also an exhibition place to show off our homegrown talent to the rest of the world.
At the Toronto International Film Festival’s Canadian press conference, the festival programmers unveiled the impressive line-up of Canadian films as well as the Canucks who are the ones to watch in their Rising Star programme.
In its fourth year, the Tiff Rising Stars programme recognizing emerging Canadian talent who are charting their own trajectory within Canadian cinema and beyond. Past Rising Stars have included Sarah Gadon, Megan Park, andTatiana Maslany.
This year’s crop of new talent includes Sophie Desmarais who you may have seen as a young track star in last year’s festival pick Sarah Prefers to Run (Sarah préfère la course) and Shannon Kook who appeared in a supporting role inThe Conjuring and next appears in...
At the Toronto International Film Festival’s Canadian press conference, the festival programmers unveiled the impressive line-up of Canadian films as well as the Canucks who are the ones to watch in their Rising Star programme.
In its fourth year, the Tiff Rising Stars programme recognizing emerging Canadian talent who are charting their own trajectory within Canadian cinema and beyond. Past Rising Stars have included Sarah Gadon, Megan Park, andTatiana Maslany.
This year’s crop of new talent includes Sophie Desmarais who you may have seen as a young track star in last year’s festival pick Sarah Prefers to Run (Sarah préfère la course) and Shannon Kook who appeared in a supporting role inThe Conjuring and next appears in...
- 8/6/2014
- by Rachel West
- Cineplex
Films by Xavier Dolan, Sturla Gunnarsson, Ruba Nadda, Jacob Tierney, Denys Arcand and other Canadian filmmakers have been added to the lineup of the Toronto International Film Festival, running this year from September 4 through 14. What's more, Ramin Bahrani, Claire Denis, Sandra Oh and Jim Stark "will guide 20 emerging filmmakers in group discussions that focus on creativity, the artistic process and independent voices." And four actors will be participating in the Rising Stars program: Sophie Desmarais, Shannon Kook, Alexandre Landry and Julia Sarah Stone. » - David Hudson...
- 8/6/2014
- Fandor: Keyframe
Films by Xavier Dolan, Sturla Gunnarsson, Ruba Nadda, Jacob Tierney, Denys Arcand and other Canadian filmmakers have been added to the lineup of the Toronto International Film Festival, running this year from September 4 through 14. What's more, Ramin Bahrani, Claire Denis, Sandra Oh and Jim Stark "will guide 20 emerging filmmakers in group discussions that focus on creativity, the artistic process and independent voices." And four actors will be participating in the Rising Stars program: Sophie Desmarais, Shannon Kook, Alexandre Landry and Julia Sarah Stone. » - David Hudson...
- 8/6/2014
- Keyframe
New work by Sturla Gunnarsson, Denys Arcand, Ruba Nadda and Xavier Dolan are among the selection set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) next month.
“These are filmmakers at the top of their craft, bringing fresh perspectives to traditional genres like comedies and less traditionally Canadian genres, such as musicals,” said Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) senior programmer Steve Gravestock. “This year’s slate truly showcases the diversity of talent in our country, featuring films from coast to coast.”
“We are inspired by the number of exceptional debut features from Canadian directors, reflecting the depth of talent in this country,” said Tiff’s Canadian features programmer Agata Smoluch Del Sorbo.
“Extremely exciting is also the fact that female-driven narratives play a significant part in this year’s programming, highlighting the strong, rich tapestry of our storytelling.”
The Canada Goose Award for Best Canadian Feature Film is up for grabs, as is the...
“These are filmmakers at the top of their craft, bringing fresh perspectives to traditional genres like comedies and less traditionally Canadian genres, such as musicals,” said Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) senior programmer Steve Gravestock. “This year’s slate truly showcases the diversity of talent in our country, featuring films from coast to coast.”
“We are inspired by the number of exceptional debut features from Canadian directors, reflecting the depth of talent in this country,” said Tiff’s Canadian features programmer Agata Smoluch Del Sorbo.
“Extremely exciting is also the fact that female-driven narratives play a significant part in this year’s programming, highlighting the strong, rich tapestry of our storytelling.”
The Canada Goose Award for Best Canadian Feature Film is up for grabs, as is the...
- 8/6/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: French Canadian drama Sarah Prefers To Run has been acquired by distribution platform Film Festival Flix following its U.S. debut at Outfest. Chloe Robichaud wrote and directed Sophie Desmarais in the story of a college-bound woman who agrees to get married in order to get a grant to afford university and compete in the school’s premier athletic club. Film Festival Flix’s deal covers U.S. rights. The company will open Sarah as part of its Film Festival Flix theatrical series monthly film series that enables audiences to interact with filmmakers and actors, as well as in limited release next spring. […]...
- 7/22/2014
- Deadline
Chicago-based Kartemquin Films will receive the North Carolina festival’s Master Of Cinema award.
Kartemquin’s credits include Hoop Dreams, The Interrupters (pictured) and PBS miniseries The New Americans.
Founder and artistic director Gordon Quinn will attend the festival to accept the award alongside executive director Justine Nagan and frequent collaborators Steve James and Peter Gilbert.
Previous Master Of Cinema honourees include Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler of Killer Film, Peter Bogdanovich, Bill Pullman, Pam Grier, Ned Beatty and Cliff Robertson.
Emerging Master Awards will go to Winter’s Bone director Debra Granik and actress Melanie Lynskey. Previous honourees include Jeff Nichols, Paul Schneider, Michael Shannon, Ramin Bahrani and David Gordon Green.
Spark Awards will go to actors Sophie Desmarais, Tye Sheridan and Tyler James Williams. Previous recipients include Anna Margaret Hollyman, Madeleine Martin, Terence Nance, David Oyelowo, Brady Corbet and Amy Seimetz.
Narrative Features jurors are UK director Andrea Arnold, critic [link=nm...
Kartemquin’s credits include Hoop Dreams, The Interrupters (pictured) and PBS miniseries The New Americans.
Founder and artistic director Gordon Quinn will attend the festival to accept the award alongside executive director Justine Nagan and frequent collaborators Steve James and Peter Gilbert.
Previous Master Of Cinema honourees include Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler of Killer Film, Peter Bogdanovich, Bill Pullman, Pam Grier, Ned Beatty and Cliff Robertson.
Emerging Master Awards will go to Winter’s Bone director Debra Granik and actress Melanie Lynskey. Previous honourees include Jeff Nichols, Paul Schneider, Michael Shannon, Ramin Bahrani and David Gordon Green.
Spark Awards will go to actors Sophie Desmarais, Tye Sheridan and Tyler James Williams. Previous recipients include Anna Margaret Hollyman, Madeleine Martin, Terence Nance, David Oyelowo, Brady Corbet and Amy Seimetz.
Narrative Features jurors are UK director Andrea Arnold, critic [link=nm...
- 3/27/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The distributor will release in the Us and license to world airlines following a deal in Toronto with eOne Films International.
Le Démantèlement screened in the festival’s Contemporary World Cinema strand and tells of a sheep farmer who sells his property to help his daughter in the big city.
Review: Le Démantèlement
Sebastien directed the French-Canadian film and Gabriel Arcand, Gilles Renaud, Lucie Laurier and Sophie Desmarais star.
Le Démantèlement screened in Critics Week in Cannes and won the Sacd Prize.
Le Démantèlement screened in the festival’s Contemporary World Cinema strand and tells of a sheep farmer who sells his property to help his daughter in the big city.
Review: Le Démantèlement
Sebastien directed the French-Canadian film and Gabriel Arcand, Gilles Renaud, Lucie Laurier and Sophie Desmarais star.
Le Démantèlement screened in Critics Week in Cannes and won the Sacd Prize.
- 9/12/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Film Movement has acquired U.S. rights and world airline rights to “Le Demantelement” from Entertainment One, the latter company announced on Wednesday. The film, which screened in Toronto this past week, recently won the Sacd Prize in Cannes. It stars Gabriel Arcand, Gilles Renaud, Lucie Laurier and Sophie Desmarais and was directed by Sébastien Pilote. The story follows Gaby, a farmer rearing beautiful lambs on his family property, La Ferme Gagnon. His two daughters, raised like princesses, live far away in the big city. When the eldest asks for money to avoid the loss of her home, Gaby decides to liquidate his beloved.
- 9/11/2013
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Toronto -- Entertainment One has sold Sebastien Pilote's Le Demantelement to Film Movement for the U.S. market. The U.S. distributor also picked up the global airline rights to the Gabriel Arcand-starrer that won the Sacd prize in Cannes before screening at the Toronto Film Festival this week. The French-language family drama follows a man who sells his farm after his daughter in the big city asks for money to avoid losing her home. Le Demantelement also stars Gilles Renaud, Lucie Laurier and Sophie Desmarais. "We are so happy to be working with eOne again on a truly
read more...
read more...
- 9/11/2013
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 38th Toronto International Film Festival has released an incredible guest list of celebrated talent from around the globe. Filmmakers expected to present their world premieres in Toronto include: Catherine Breillat, Nicole Garcia, Pawel Pawlikowski, Bertrand Tavernier, Steve McQueen, Godfrey Reggio, Denis Villeneuve, Bill Condon, Jean-Marc Vallée, John Wells, Ralph Fiennes, Richard Ayoade, Atom Egoyan, Matthew Weiner, John Carney, Jason Reitman, Jason Bateman, Yorgos Servetas, Liza Johnson, Megan Griffiths, Fernando Eimbcke, Alexey Uchitel, Johnny Ma, Biyi Bandele, Rashid Masharawi, Paul Haggis, Ron Howard, Eli Roth, Álex de la Iglesia, Bruce McDonald, Jennifer Baichwal, John Ridley, and Justin Chadwick.
The Festival also welcomes thousands of producers and other industry professionals bringing films to us.
The following filmmakers and artists are expected to attend the Toronto International Film Festival:
Ahmad Abdalla, Hany Abu-Assad, Yuval Adler, Akosua Adoma Owusu, Alexandre Aja, Bruce Alcock, Gianni Amelio, Thanos Anastopoulos, Madeline Anderson, Nimród Antal, Louise Archambault,...
The Festival also welcomes thousands of producers and other industry professionals bringing films to us.
The following filmmakers and artists are expected to attend the Toronto International Film Festival:
Ahmad Abdalla, Hany Abu-Assad, Yuval Adler, Akosua Adoma Owusu, Alexandre Aja, Bruce Alcock, Gianni Amelio, Thanos Anastopoulos, Madeline Anderson, Nimród Antal, Louise Archambault,...
- 8/21/2013
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Sarah préfère la course (English title: Sarah Would Rather Run)
Written by Chloé Robichaud
Directed by Chloé Robichaud
Canada, 2013
Some people are driven to accomplish a perfectly singular goal, even at a young age. Be it a professional career, an artistic endeavour, a pilgrimage to a specific place, the objective means everything to them. Most of the other tasks, obligations and activities they perform are in one way or another a stepping stone on the journey to achieving that goal. In some cases their dream is but a part of their personality, something that helps make them whole. For others, the dream practically consumes them, replacing all else in terms of importance, as is the case for the central character in Chloé Robichaud’s film Sarah préfère la course, which premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
Sarah Gagnon (Sophie Desmarais) is entering adulthood. The viewer meets her for the very...
Written by Chloé Robichaud
Directed by Chloé Robichaud
Canada, 2013
Some people are driven to accomplish a perfectly singular goal, even at a young age. Be it a professional career, an artistic endeavour, a pilgrimage to a specific place, the objective means everything to them. Most of the other tasks, obligations and activities they perform are in one way or another a stepping stone on the journey to achieving that goal. In some cases their dream is but a part of their personality, something that helps make them whole. For others, the dream practically consumes them, replacing all else in terms of importance, as is the case for the central character in Chloé Robichaud’s film Sarah préfère la course, which premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
Sarah Gagnon (Sophie Desmarais) is entering adulthood. The viewer meets her for the very...
- 5/30/2013
- by Edgar Chaput
- SoundOnSight
Gay erotic thriller Stranger by the Lake wins Queer Palm at Cannes Film Festival (photo: Pierre de Ladonchamps, Christophe Paou in Stranger by the Lake) Writer-director Alain Guiraudie’s Stranger by the Lake / L’inconnu du lac has won the 2013 Queer Palm handed out to Cannes Film Festival movies featuring gay, lesbian, bi, tri, multi, transgender, etc. characters. Stranger by the Lake was screened in the Un Certain Regard sidebar. Set near an idyllic lake where hot-and-heavy gay cruising takes place during the summer season, Guiraudie’s sexually charged thriller revolves around Franck (Pierre de Ladonchamps), a young man who falls in lust with brawny suspected murderer Michel (Christophe Paou). Strand Releasing will handle the distribution of Stranger by the Lake in North America. Stranger by the Lake: Mixing explicit sex with explicit love As quoted by Agence France Presse, Alain Guiraudie explained the (purportedly) graphic sex scenes in Stranger...
- 5/26/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
French-Canadian director Chloe Robichaud makes her feature film debut in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard branch with a highly unique tale that has echoes of downtrodden sports films like The Wrestler, though wraps itself in a vivid, swooning tale of nascent romance. Sarah Prefers to Run (Sarah Prefere la Course), above all else, paints both filmmaker and leading lady as sure talents to watch in the future. As you can doubtless glean from the title, 20-year-old Sarah (Sophie Desmarais) likes running, and as a standout on her local track team, decides to see if she can make it in the big athletic leagues of Montreal, moving there with a young man she barely knows, Antoine (Jean-Sebastiene Courchesne). However, things soon enough become complicated when Antoine suggests that they get married for the financial incentives, while he has a far sneaker plan in mind – to make her fall in love with him. Sarah...
- 5/22/2013
- by Shaun Munro
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
The “foreign” film, product of another world where people converse in odd dialects and act in peculiar ways. We need to be honest that the vast majority of films that most people consume every year are either American mainstream blockbusters or studio distributed independent (Sundance) films. There are of course, every year, a few foreign films that do get released in the American market, The selected films that get a push from their government hoping to get that Foreign Language film Oscar nom or other films that manage to make some noise at Cannes might eventually get released in our great Na. But for every Incendies or 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 days, that are released to the rabid American market there are dozens of other films that never make it outside of their home market save in the occasional film festival. The Quebec film market produces 30+ films every year, a lot...
- 1/3/2012
- by Alex Moffatt
- SoundOnSight
Reviewed by Samantha Perez
(from the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival)
Directed/Written by: Denis Côté
Starring: Emmanuel Bilodeau, Philomène Bilodeau, Roc Lafortune and Sophie Desmarais
Curling has been an official Winter Olympics sport since 1998. It’s that game in which players slide stones across the ice toward a target area (similar to shuffleboard). Though this film is called “Curling,” it has little to do with the sport. Writer-director Denis Côté fools audiences with his title but presents a piercing portrayal of two people’s isolation and their journey toward life.
Jean-François (Emmanuel Bilodeau) is a maintenance man at a bowling alley and a roadside motel in a rural Quebec village. His 12-year-old daughter Julyvonne (Philomène Bilodeau, Emmanuel’s real-life daughter) stays home all day, every day. He takes care of her, homeschools her as best he can and supplies her with random out-of-date books. He makes sure she is well-fed...
(from the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival)
Directed/Written by: Denis Côté
Starring: Emmanuel Bilodeau, Philomène Bilodeau, Roc Lafortune and Sophie Desmarais
Curling has been an official Winter Olympics sport since 1998. It’s that game in which players slide stones across the ice toward a target area (similar to shuffleboard). Though this film is called “Curling,” it has little to do with the sport. Writer-director Denis Côté fools audiences with his title but presents a piercing portrayal of two people’s isolation and their journey toward life.
Jean-François (Emmanuel Bilodeau) is a maintenance man at a bowling alley and a roadside motel in a rural Quebec village. His 12-year-old daughter Julyvonne (Philomène Bilodeau, Emmanuel’s real-life daughter) stays home all day, every day. He takes care of her, homeschools her as best he can and supplies her with random out-of-date books. He makes sure she is well-fed...
- 6/30/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Reviewed by Samantha Perez
(from the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival)
Directed/Written by: Denis Côté
Starring: Emmanuel Bilodeau, Philomène Bilodeau, Roc Lafortune and Sophie Desmarais
Curling has been an official Winter Olympics sport since 1998. It’s that game in which players slide stones across the ice toward a target area (similar to shuffleboard). Though this film is called “Curling,” it has little to do with the sport. Writer-director Denis Côté fools audiences with his title but presents a piercing portrayal of two people’s isolation and their journey toward life.
Jean-François (Emmanuel Bilodeau) is a maintenance man at a bowling alley and a roadside motel in a rural Quebec village. His 12-year-old daughter Julyvonne (Philomène Bilodeau, Emmanuel’s real-life daughter) stays home all day, every day. He takes care of her, homeschools her as best he can and supplies her with random out-of-date books. He makes sure she is well-fed...
(from the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival)
Directed/Written by: Denis Côté
Starring: Emmanuel Bilodeau, Philomène Bilodeau, Roc Lafortune and Sophie Desmarais
Curling has been an official Winter Olympics sport since 1998. It’s that game in which players slide stones across the ice toward a target area (similar to shuffleboard). Though this film is called “Curling,” it has little to do with the sport. Writer-director Denis Côté fools audiences with his title but presents a piercing portrayal of two people’s isolation and their journey toward life.
Jean-François (Emmanuel Bilodeau) is a maintenance man at a bowling alley and a roadside motel in a rural Quebec village. His 12-year-old daughter Julyvonne (Philomène Bilodeau, Emmanuel’s real-life daughter) stays home all day, every day. He takes care of her, homeschools her as best he can and supplies her with random out-of-date books. He makes sure she is well-fed...
- 6/30/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
The Los Angeles Film Festival has announced the world premiere of Richard Linklater's Bernie as the opening night film for the 2011 festival.
The film will kick off the festival on June 16 at Regal Cinemas Stadium 14 at L.A. Live. It is written by Skip Hollandsworth and director Linklater and stars Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, and Matthew McConaughey.
The film follows a beloved mortician (Black) from a small Texas town, even winning over the town's richest, meanest widow (MacLaine). Even after Bernie commits a horrible crime, people still will not utter a bad word against him.
"We're thrilled to be opening the Festival with the world premiere of this delicious black comedy - a treat from one of the most original and exciting voices in independent film, Richard Linklater," said Festival director Rebecca Yeldham. "With its fabulous all-star cast, Bernie is a perfect stage setter for the incredible line-up of...
The film will kick off the festival on June 16 at Regal Cinemas Stadium 14 at L.A. Live. It is written by Skip Hollandsworth and director Linklater and stars Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, and Matthew McConaughey.
The film follows a beloved mortician (Black) from a small Texas town, even winning over the town's richest, meanest widow (MacLaine). Even after Bernie commits a horrible crime, people still will not utter a bad word against him.
"We're thrilled to be opening the Festival with the world premiere of this delicious black comedy - a treat from one of the most original and exciting voices in independent film, Richard Linklater," said Festival director Rebecca Yeldham. "With its fabulous all-star cast, Bernie is a perfect stage setter for the incredible line-up of...
- 5/30/2011
- by alyssa@mediavine.com (Alyssa Caverley)
- Reel Movie News
After a limited release in Quebec, Jephté Bastien's Sortie 67 will be released in select theatres of other Canadian provinces on April 1.
The film takes place in St-Michel, a poor district of Montreal also known for its problems of criminality. Ronald Paquet (Henri Pardo), a young mulatto, saw his dad murder his mom when he was eight years old. This is why he waits for the day when he can finally avenge his mom's death. However, before the release of his dad, Ronald had always been tied to a violent street gang. In fact, this is why he's trying to make a choice: remain a criminal or pull himself together.
The film also stars Benz Antoine, Natacha Noël, Alain Lino, Mic Eli Bastien, Edouard Fontaine, Fabienne Colas, Sophie Desmarais, Danny Blanco-Hall, Natacha Noël, Anthony Clerveaux, Lansana Kourouma and Scott Jimmy Beaubrun.
The film takes place in St-Michel, a poor district of Montreal also known for its problems of criminality. Ronald Paquet (Henri Pardo), a young mulatto, saw his dad murder his mom when he was eight years old. This is why he waits for the day when he can finally avenge his mom's death. However, before the release of his dad, Ronald had always been tied to a violent street gang. In fact, this is why he's trying to make a choice: remain a criminal or pull himself together.
The film also stars Benz Antoine, Natacha Noël, Alain Lino, Mic Eli Bastien, Edouard Fontaine, Fabienne Colas, Sophie Desmarais, Danny Blanco-Hall, Natacha Noël, Anthony Clerveaux, Lansana Kourouma and Scott Jimmy Beaubrun.
- 3/19/2011
- by anhkhoido@gmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
The latest film from Canadian director Denis Côté, Curling, might bore many and look incomprehensible. However, it's only after you had seen the film that you realize how eloquent the film is with its moments of silence.During the winter in a remote area of Quebec, we follow Jean-François Sauvageau (Emmanuel Bilodeau) and his 12-year-old daughter Julyvonne (Philomène Bilodeau) who both live in a country house on the edge of a highway. Jean-François is a maintenance clerk at a bowling club and a motel. He's overprotective to the point that he doesn't want his daughter to get out. Moreover, Julyvonne doesn't go to school.
Since he takes Julyvonne out once in a while, she begs him more and more to let go out. According to Julyvonne, this will allow her to play with kids of her age. When Jean-François isn't at home, Julyvonne decides to go out in the forest near her house.
Since he takes Julyvonne out once in a while, she begs him more and more to let go out. According to Julyvonne, this will allow her to play with kids of her age. When Jean-François isn't at home, Julyvonne decides to go out in the forest near her house.
- 10/22/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Canadian director Denis Côté talks about his latest film Curling. The film will close the Festival du nouveau cinéma (Fnc) on October 23 and will be in theatres on November 12.
During the winter in a remote area of Quebec, we follow Jean-François Sauvageau (Emmanuel Bilodeau) and his 12-year-old daughter Julyvonne (Philomène Bilodeau) who both live in a country house on the edge of a highway. Jean-François is a maintenance clerk at a bowling club and a motel. He's overprotective to the point that he doesn't want his daughter to get out. Moreover, Julyvonne doesn't go to school.
Since he takes Julyvonne out once in a while, she begs him more and more to let go out. According to Julyvonne, this will allow her to play with kids of her age. When Jean-François isn't at home, Julyvonne decides to go out in the forest near her house. Moreover, Isabelle (Sophie Desmarais), Jean-François's...
During the winter in a remote area of Quebec, we follow Jean-François Sauvageau (Emmanuel Bilodeau) and his 12-year-old daughter Julyvonne (Philomène Bilodeau) who both live in a country house on the edge of a highway. Jean-François is a maintenance clerk at a bowling club and a motel. He's overprotective to the point that he doesn't want his daughter to get out. Moreover, Julyvonne doesn't go to school.
Since he takes Julyvonne out once in a while, she begs him more and more to let go out. According to Julyvonne, this will allow her to play with kids of her age. When Jean-François isn't at home, Julyvonne decides to go out in the forest near her house. Moreover, Isabelle (Sophie Desmarais), Jean-François's...
- 10/21/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
The anticipated independent film, Sortie 67, which follows a young member of a street gang in Montreal, will come out in Quebec's theatres on November 5. It hasn't been confirmed if it will be a wide or limited release.
The film was directed and written by Bastien Jephté.
The film takes place in St-Michel, a poor district of Montreal also known for its problems of criminality. Ronald Paquet (Henri Pardo), a young mulatto, saw his dad murder his mom when he was eight years old. This is why he waits for the day when he can finally avenge his mom's death. However, before the release of his dad, Ronald had always been tied to a violent street gang. In fact, this is why he's trying to make a choice: remain a criminal or pull himself together.
The film also stars Benz Antoine, Natacha Noël, Alain Lino, Mic Eli Bastien, Edouard Fontaine,...
The film was directed and written by Bastien Jephté.
The film takes place in St-Michel, a poor district of Montreal also known for its problems of criminality. Ronald Paquet (Henri Pardo), a young mulatto, saw his dad murder his mom when he was eight years old. This is why he waits for the day when he can finally avenge his mom's death. However, before the release of his dad, Ronald had always been tied to a violent street gang. In fact, this is why he's trying to make a choice: remain a criminal or pull himself together.
The film also stars Benz Antoine, Natacha Noël, Alain Lino, Mic Eli Bastien, Edouard Fontaine,...
- 10/15/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Yesterday, Montreal's Festival du nouveau cinéma (Fnc), which will take place from October 13 to 24, revealed its full line-up of films. Nineteen Canadian feature films and documentaries will be presented. However, don't expect to see all films that were screened at the latest Toronto or Vancouver International Film Festivals.
Opening film:
10 1/2
Director: Daniel Grou (Podz)
Starring: Claude Legault, Robert Naylor and Albert Kwan
International selection
Jo pour Jonathan
Director: Maxime Giroux
Starring: Jean-Sébastien Courchesne, Raphaël Lacaille, Jean-Alexandre Létourneau and Vanessa Pilon
Focus Québec/Canada
A Night for Dying Tigers
Director: Terry Miles
Starring: Jennifer Beals, Gil Bellows, Lauren Lee Smith, Tygh Runyan, Kathleen Robertson, John Pyper-Ferguson, Leah Gibson, Sarah Lind and Jessica Heafey
Affinity Point
Director: Deeh
Starring: Danielle Hubbard, Jason D. Pitre, Sophie Ricard and Yann Faussurier
2 fois une femme
Director: François Delisle
Starring: Evelyne Rompré, Marc Béland and Catherine de Léan
Falardeau (Documentary)
Director: German Gutierrez and Carmen Garcia...
Opening film:
10 1/2
Director: Daniel Grou (Podz)
Starring: Claude Legault, Robert Naylor and Albert Kwan
International selection
Jo pour Jonathan
Director: Maxime Giroux
Starring: Jean-Sébastien Courchesne, Raphaël Lacaille, Jean-Alexandre Létourneau and Vanessa Pilon
Focus Québec/Canada
A Night for Dying Tigers
Director: Terry Miles
Starring: Jennifer Beals, Gil Bellows, Lauren Lee Smith, Tygh Runyan, Kathleen Robertson, John Pyper-Ferguson, Leah Gibson, Sarah Lind and Jessica Heafey
Affinity Point
Director: Deeh
Starring: Danielle Hubbard, Jason D. Pitre, Sophie Ricard and Yann Faussurier
2 fois une femme
Director: François Delisle
Starring: Evelyne Rompré, Marc Béland and Catherine de Léan
Falardeau (Documentary)
Director: German Gutierrez and Carmen Garcia...
- 9/29/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
While French Quebecker mainstream films - which are mostly shot in Montreal, mind you - keep pretending that ethnic minorities don't exist, it's a blessing that our independent films take the time to look at them. As a matter of fact, the teaser of Bastien Jephté's first film, Sortie 67, is already online.
The film takes place in St-Michel, a poor district of Montreal also known for its problems of criminality. Ronald Paquet (Henri Pardo), a young mulatto, saw his dad murder his mom when he was eight years old. This is why he waits for the day when he can finally avenge his mom's death. However, before the release of his dad, Ronald had always been tied to a violent street gang. In fact, this is why he's trying to make a choice: remain a criminal or pull himself together.
The film also stars Benz Antoine, Natacha Noël,...
The film takes place in St-Michel, a poor district of Montreal also known for its problems of criminality. Ronald Paquet (Henri Pardo), a young mulatto, saw his dad murder his mom when he was eight years old. This is why he waits for the day when he can finally avenge his mom's death. However, before the release of his dad, Ronald had always been tied to a violent street gang. In fact, this is why he's trying to make a choice: remain a criminal or pull himself together.
The film also stars Benz Antoine, Natacha Noël,...
- 7/20/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.