2010
LES
RENDEZ-VOUS DU CINÉMA QUÉBÉCOIS
THE RATINGS
So
far, A & O film critic Sylvain Richard has seen
the following films except where mentioned. Here are
his ratings and comments, always out of 4, reserving
2.5 or more for a noteworthy film, 3.5 for an exceptional
film, 4 for a classic.
Among
Sylvain Richard's best ever Québec films = (Le
déclin de l'empire Américain, Les ordres,
Sur le seuil, Les triplettes de Belleville, Mémoires
affectives, Les États nordiques, C.R.A.Z.Y.,
Silk, Le Goût des jeunes filles, The Blue Butterfly)
For
the 28th year in the bitter cold and wintery days of mid
February, a grand celebration of Québec cinema takes
place. Films selected for this event include many of the
past year`s box office hits and films premiered during Montreal`s
vast array of film festivals throughout the year. Also included
are tributes to important figures in Québec cinema
and a variety of premieres from the current year. The RVCQ
is wonderful opportunity for lovers of Québec cinema
to see for the first time -- or revisit -- an essential
part its cultural film heritage. For other Québec films see other ratings pages.
2.6
-- LA THÉORIE DU TOUT (THE
THEORY OF ALL),
Céline
Baril
A collage exploring the every day people that make up rural
Quebec -- their approaches and observations. In short what
defines them. Completely improvised. The film maker along
with a cameraman set out on a journey with no particular destination
in mind and the result is a fascinating film.
2.5 --
LE SECRET D'UN MOINE,
Yves Étienne Massicotte
A 28 min look at the passing of the passing of the Trappist
tradition of cheese making from the Oka Monastery to one in
Manitoba. Also examined -- the day to day routines and concerns.
2.5
-- CHEF
THÉMIS,
Philippe
Lavalette
52 min. profile of Quebec's famous chef,
Jean-Louis Thémis, founder of Cuisiniers sans frontières. After a 30
year absence he returns to his country of origin, Madagascar, with the
purpose of training a group of its youth in his profession to give
them a sense of worth.
3.8 --
LA DERNIÈRE
FUGUE,
Léa Pool
Riveting drama that addresses the issues of dying with dignity
and the right to end life when that dignity is no longer there.
The patriarch of the Levesque family (Jacques Godin) -- a
man used to being in control -- at 75 years old now finds
himself a prisoner of his own body. He is suffering from Akinetic
Rigid Parkinson's disease. First born, André (Yves
Jacques) and eldest grandson Sam (Alliocha Scneider) want
to quicken his death by allowing him to enjoy the rest of
his life to the fullest and partake of life's simple pleasures
while the rest of the family is opposed. The matriarch (Andrée
Lachapelle) is torn but when the patriarch declares his wish
to die while enjoying life, she accepts it. Authentic and
convincing performances. Effective use of flashbacks to contrast
the then versus now of the patriarch.
2.6
-- LA VIE DE JÉSUS (THE LIFE OF JESUS),
Bruno Dumont
Freddy lives in the small town of Bailleul in Northern France
with his mother who owns a small cafe. He wiles away his days
making love to his girlfriend and getting into mischief with
his friends. An insightful look into the day to day routines
of youth in small town France. Slow-paced and low-keyed film.
2.7
-- TOO MANY THINGS,
Donigan Cumming
A 40 min. experimental film observing a group of men rummaging
through a Salvation Army store. Inventive and amusing. Multi-layered
dialogue added to authenticity. Good use of animation.
2.9
-- CAPTURING REALITY: THE ART OF DOCUMENTARY,
Pepita Ferrari
Feature length look at the approach of 40 documentarians to
their art. Includes interviews and highlights from their most
memorable films. Informative and in depth. I emerged with
a greater appreciation of the cinematic world we call 'The
Documentary.'
2.8
-- HIER ENCORE,
Jonathan Gagné
First feature film as director, this drama explores a crossroad
that occurs in everyone's life: do I hold on to the past or
let go and move forward? Centers on a 30 year old drifter
named William Daigle who returns to his hometown in an attempt
to reconnect with his past. Convincing natural performances
from entire cast.
2.5
-- KAKAKKUVIK (WHERE THE CHILDREN DWELL),
Jobie Weetaluktuk
26 min look at the devastating results of Canada's policy of removing Inuit children from their families and communities and sending them to residential schools in the mistaken notion that their culture was inferior and that they needed to be integrated into Canadian society.
2.5
-- AIMER FINIR,
Lucie Lambert
A personal 51 min. look at Anne-Marie St Onge, activist and retired teacher living in the community of Uashat-Maliotenam near Schefferville, Quebec. Through her personal recollections she recounts her quest for the meaning of life.
2.1
-- MODERNAIRE,
Martin Laroche
Maxime, a young Montreal accountant, has his daily routine disrupted one morning when sitting next to him is a Muslim mumbling prayers to himself. Maxime decides to follow him. Rather pointless use of celluloid. Previous film "La Logique du Remord" much superior.