L’ABBÉ PIERRE – UNE VIE DE COMBAT

BY DIRECTOR FRÉDÉRIC TELLIER

On opening night, Saturday, October 28, 2023, the Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue will present the North American premiere of the film L’Abbé Pierre – Une vie de combats by director Frédéric Tellier, produced by Wassim Béji, and distributed by AZ Films. This biographical film was warmly received at the Cannes Film Festival and the Angoulême Francophone Film Festival.

Synopsis

“Born into a wealthy family, Henri Grouès was a Resistance fighter, member of parliament, defender of the homeless, revolutionary, and iconoclast. From the benches of the National Assembly to the shantytowns of the Paris suburbs, his commitment to the weakest earned him international renown. The creation of Emmaüs and the tidal wave of his unforgettable appeal in the winter of 1954 made him an icon. Yet, every day, he doubted his ability. His frailties, his sufferings, his barely credible intimate life remained unknown to the general public. Outraged by misery and injustice, often criticized, and sometimes betrayed, Henri Grouès lived a thousand lives and fought a thousand battles. He left his mark on history under the name he chose for himself: Abbé Pierre.”

LOLO-LOLA BY GÉRARD DUBOIS

This year’s poster is an original design for the Festival. It features a main figure inspired by the characters of Lola-Lola, played by Marlene Dietrich in the 1930 film L’Ange bleu, and Arlette Thomas (Lizza Minelli) from the 1972 film Cabaret.

Gérard DuBois is an illustrator and graphic artist renowned for his work in editorial illustration. Originally from France, he moved to Montreal in 1991. Mr. DuBois has worked for numerous magazines, including The New Yorker, Time, Rolling Stone, Le Monde, and The New York Times, to name but a few. Over the course of his career, he has received a number of awards and distinctions, including the Governor General’s Award, the renowned Hamilton King Award, and the Bologna Ragazzi Award. In 2018, Canada Post unveiled a Gérald DuBois stamp to highlight the excellence of his work in a series of 5 stamps titled Great Canadian Illustrators. His illustrations have been exhibited in France, Canada, Italy, the United States, and many major cities around the world. His paintings can be found in private collections including those of Rolling Stone magazine, writer Stephen King, and director Guillermo Del Toro. Graphic designer Geneviève Roy adapted Gérard DuBois’ work to design the 42nd Festival poster.