FIFEM’09 Children’s Film Festival Preview
Today, the 12th edition of FIFEM (Montreal International Children’s Films Festival) begins, sponsored by Télé-Québec, Desjardins, Cinéma Beaubien and Renaud-Bray. On the program, from February 28th until March 8th is a wide variety of films aimed at younger audiences; these include animated, and live-action feature films and shorts from here and abroad. Films start every … Continue reading
RVCQ’09 Review: Maman est chez le coiffeur
Subtlety is not the strong point of Maman est chez le coiffeur; and though it has been receiving some attention for the performances of its adults (Céline Bonnier is nominated for Supporting Actress at the Jutra awards), the kids deserve all the praise for keeping the film afloat. Léa Pool’s latest is a tale about … Continue reading
The Last Days of RVCQ’09
Three days remain in the premiere Québecois film festival, and for those yet to sample the films of 2008 and 2009, these last are not to be missed. What distinguishes the Rendez-vous du cinema québecois from others festivals in the city is that the majority of directors, producers, writers and stars are present at the screenings … Continue reading
RVCQ’09 Review: Derrière moi
It is with great patience that one can come to appreciate Rafaël Ouellet’s sophomore effort, Derrière moi (Behind Me). It borrows heavily from the domain of independent film we have come to expect from countries like Romania. The camerawork is handheld and imperfect, and tends to hold on scenes for extended periods of time, as … Continue reading
RVCQ’09 Review: Un été sans point ni coup sûr
The summer of 1969 was abound with wonder. Humankind landed on the moon and hundreds of thousands celebrated peace and love at Woodstock. For a summer of firsts, Martin, 12, only has an interest in the first season of the Montréal Expos and making the local baseball team. Un été sans point ni coup sûr is … Continue reading
DVD Releases for the Week of Feb. 24, 2009
How about a little cross-coverage? Seeing as the Rendez-vous du cinema quebecois is this week, it’s only fitting that two of the films showing at the festival are also coming to DVD. A l’Ouest de Pluton (above) covers the stories of twelve teens in a 24-hour span. The actors were picked from a high school and thus … Continue reading
RVCQ’09 Review: Borderline
Kiki Labreche at 12, at 20 and at 30, is Borderline, self diagnosed in the first chapters of a novel she has been attempting to write for years. Her inability to complete the autobiographical story mimics her own emotional block in life. Unable to cry or keep a stable relationship, Kiki instead turns to sex … Continue reading
RVCQ’09 Review: La Memoire des anges
From its early days, the NFB’s documentaries have had distinctly stunning cinematography and unique focus on individuals. Luc Bourdon’s La memoire des anges (The Memory of Angels) celebrates this history. Without voice over narration, new footage or music compositions, Bourdon’s film is a montage of sounds and visuals of Montreal from the 1950s to the 1970s, … Continue reading
RVCQ’09 Review: C’est pas moi, je le jure!
C’est pas moi, je le jure! (It’s Not Me, I Swear!) is the latest Quebecois film about growing up in the 60s and 70s and the best of the lot since C.R.A.Z.Y. Its main actor, Antoine L’Ecuyer looks like another Culkin brother, and the character he plays, Leon, feels like a more disturbed version of Antoine Doinel … Continue reading
RVCQ’09 Preview: Something Blue, Something New
Tonight marks the launch of the Rendez-vous du cinema quebecois running through to the end of the month. While the big tickets for most will include known Quebecois stars and directors, the real treat for filmgoers is discovering new talent and experiencing new audio/visual pleasures from our home province. One such discovery is director Denis … Continue reading
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