For a 39th year, the Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue will take us travelling through this amazing program with international and national films. Overwhelming gaze on the world, remarkable pictures, honest laughs, strongly moving moments are what the Festival is offering. Filmlovers will enjoy 16 feature films, 72 short films, including 32 animated from 22 countries. Always on the lookout for exclusivities and scoops, the 39th Festival’s main program, including Espace court and schools’ schedule, 25 winners and a big total of 50 premieres: 13 worldwide, 11 North American, Canadian and 7 Quebec premieres.
The program will open and close on notes of hope, light and beauty.
On opening night, Saturday October 31st, discover LE CLUB VINLAND in North American premiere, the most recent project of Québec director Benoît Pilon (Roger Toupin, épicier variété, Ce qu’il faut pour vivre et Iqaluit) starring Sébastien Ricard (Dédé à travers les brumes, Les invasions barbares, Avant que mon cœur bascule), Arnaud Vachon, François Papineau (Iqaluit, La Disparition des Lucioles, Route 132), Rémy Girard (Les invasions barbares, Il pleuvait des oiseaux, Les Boys) and Émilie Bibeau (Émilie, Quelqu’un d’extraordinaire, Ça sent la coupe). LE CLUB VINLAND, the story of an outstanding professor, idolized by his students while angering his congregation. Frère Jean, a charismatic progressist, dreams of heightening his students’ motivation and to avoid that Emile drops-out of school, leads an archeological expedition to prove this theory about the Vikings ever landing on the coast of the St-Laurent. This film is produced by Productions Avenida and distributed by Les Films Opale.
The cherry on top will be the world premiere of DANSER SOUS LA PLUIE, the first feature film by Rouynorandian, Rachelle Roy. This documentary will close the festivities on Thursday, November 5th. Rachelle shot the first images a few days after receiving her breast cancer diagnosis. She exposes her secret garden and expresses herself, without filter, about the challenges brought up by this disease. At first, she talks about her feelings, then she provides the results of the numerous exams she was put through. From tears to despair, then laughs, feeling courageous again and full of hope. Throughout the movie, she becomes the main character of her own healing. The movie is produced and distributed by Les Frangines.
The 2020 program delivers an impressive inventory of international productions.
We are proud to present LA FINE FLEUR, by Pierre Pinaud (Parlez-moi de vous, Gelée précoce and Submersible) on Sunday, November 1st. LA FINE FLEUR introduces Eve Vernet, who has been the most famous rosemaker. Today, on the verge of bankruptcy, about to be bought out by a powerful competitor. Her loyal receptionist, Vera, might have the solution: hire three outcasts with absolutely no gardening skills. With nothing in common, the four protagonists come up with the craziest plan to save the little artisanal workshop. The interpreters are Catherine Frot (Marguerite, Un air de famille and Le dîner de cons), Olivia Côte (Vous les femmes, Antoinette dans les Cévennes and Elle l’adore), Fatsah Bouyahmed (La vache, Coursier and Les invisibles), Melan Omerta and Marie Petiot (Casting sauvage, Y and Marie-Francine). It is produced by Estrella Production and distributed by MK2 Mile-end.
On Monday November 2nd, discover ALL THIS VICTORY, by director and visual artist Ahmad Ghossein (White Noise, Lebanon Factory and The Fourth Stage, Al Marhala Al Rabiaa). War is raging between Hezbollah and Israel. During a 24-hour ceasefire, Marwan heads out in search of his father, who refused to depart his village, leaving his wife alone to plan their immigration to Canada. Marwan finds no traces of his father, but the ceasefire abruptly ends, forcing him to take shelter at his father’s friend, Najib. Marwan finds himself trapped under the rain of bombs with Najib and a few friends. The tension rises inside and out of the house. The next three days see the situation spiral out of control. The cast consists of Karam Ghossein, Boutros Rouhana (Man is Hunter, The Stream and Ge.hen’nah), Adel Chahine (Good Morning and Submarine), Issam Bou Khaled (Falafel, Un homme perdu and Autour de la maison rose) and Sahar Minkara. The film is produced by Abbout Productions and MPM Films and distributed by AZ Films.
On Monday, November 2nd watch the Canadian premiere of feature film TANTAS ALMAS/VALLEY OF SOULS. He won Best Film at the International Film Festival in Marrakech and is directed by Nicolás Rincón Gille (Noche herida, En lo escondido and L’étreinte du fleuve). In 2002, on the banks of Magdalena Medio, José returned home at dawn to discover that paramilitary forces had killed his two sons, Dionisio and Rafael and threw their bodies into the river. To prevent their tormented souls from being stuck in this world, he begins a lonely journey to retrieve them and provide a proper burial. Aboard his canoe, José discovers the magic of a country torn into pieces. Casting includes Arley De Jesús and Carvallido Lobo. It is a production by Medio de Contención Producciones and is distributed by Best Friend Forever.
One must-see movie, SUPERNOVA, is presented as a Quebec premiere on Tuesday, November 3rd. Well recognized with the Silver Owl of the Film Festival in Tirana, Best Film at the Film Festival of Monterrey and Best Director at the Pune Film Festival, directed by Bartosz Kruhlik (Zar, Rest4rt and Wyciezka). One place and one event that will change the life of three men. A universal tale, kept in a realistic style, tells the story of a few hours in the life of a rural community. The film stars Marek Braun (Proceder), Marcin Hycnar (Ogród Luizy, Volta and Pour nous, le soleil), Marcin Zarzeczny (Klubwlóczykijów, Ukladzamkniety and Serce do walki), Agnieszka Skibicka (Obce Niebo) and Anna Mrozowska (Jaterazklamie, Syn Królowej Sniegu and Nowy Swiat). It is produced by Munk Studio and distributed by IKH Pictures Promotion.
LOS LOBOS is a Mexican movie directed by Samuel Kishi Leopo (Somos Mari Pepa) presented as a Quebec premiere on Tuesday, November 3rd. In 2020 he won the Jury Grand Prize & Independent Peace Film Award at the Berlinale Generation K Plus, Best Picture – HBO Ibero-american at the Miami Film Festival and Prix spécial du jury at the Festival international du film de Fribourg. In LOS LOBOS, Max, Leo and their mother Lucia crossed the border from Mexico into the United States in search for a better life. While waiting for Lucia to return from work, the kids build an imaginary universe with their drawings and think about mom’s promise about going to Disneyland, the land of dreams. This film starres Martha Reyes Arias (La otra Emma, The Worst Crime and Nunca me fui), Maximiliano Nájar Márquez, Leonardo Nájar Márquez, Cici Lau (Legally blonde, Better things and Best wishes) and Johnson T. Lau. The film is produced by Animal de Luz Films and distributed by Figa Films.
On Wednesday, November 4th, EFFACER L’HISTORIQUE will be presented. Big winner of the Silver Bear at the Berlin Festival 2020. The story takes place in province where three neighbours are struggling with technologies and social medias. Together, they go to war against these Internet giants. A hazardous dispute… This feature film is directed by Benoît Delépine (Le grand soir, Aaltra and Louise-Michel) and Gustave Kervern (Le grand soir, Aaltra and Louise-Michel). Since 2004, they codirected nine movies, including Le grand soir rewarded at Un certain regard at Cannes. The movie stars Blanche Gardin (#jesuislà, Problemos and Workingirls), Denis Podalydès (Caché, Jeanne et le garçon formidable and La conquête), Corinne Masiero (Capitaine Marleau, Louise Wimmer and De rouilles et d’os), Vincent Lacoste (Plaire, aimer et courir vite, Les beaux gosses and Amanda) and Benoît Poelvoorde (C’est arrivé près de chez vous, Le tout nouveau testament and Les émotifs anonymes). It is produced by Les Films du Worso and distributed by Métropole Films Distribution.
On Wednesday November 4th, LA ODISEA DE LOS GILES/HEROIC LOSERS will be presented as a Québec premiere. In times of the infamous Argentinian Corralito in 2001, the financial crisis hits. After figuring out that their bank manager and a corrupt lawyer have stolen their money, a few neighbours from a little town trace a plan to recover the money they lost by acquiring abandoned silos. Nothing goes as planned. The movie is directed by Sebastián Borensztein (Un cuento chino and Koblic), an argentinian director whose work has been awarded many times. LA ODISEA DE LOS GILES/HEROIC LOSERS stars Ricardo Darín (Un cuento chino, Dans ses yeux and Nueve Reinas), Chino Darín (Mirage, L’ange and Compañeros), Luis Brandoni (Esperando la carroza, Mi cuñado and Convivencia), Veronica Llinás (La mujer de los perros, Cerro Bayo and Soy tu aventura) et Daniel Araoz (L’homme d’à côté, La Noche màs Larga and Notre enfant). It was produced by K&S Films and distributed by AZ Films.
There is also a danish production, KØD OG BLOD/WILDLAND that will be shown on Thursday, November 5th, by director Jeanette Nordahl (Nylon and Waiting for Phil) Ida is 17 years old when her mother accidently dies, and is place by social services to go live with her aunt. Since her mother didn’t speak with her sister, Ida discovers a fusional family, filled with affection. She also discovers that her cousins run a violent criminal organization, all led by their mother. As she tries to find her own place, love and violence become impossible to part. Little by litthe, she gains consciousness of what her mother tried to escape… The casting is composed of Sandra Kampp (The Rain, I want you to panic and Hollow Heart), Sidse Babette Knudsen (Borgen – Une femme au pouvoir, Westworld and Inferno), Joachim Fjeldstrup (Steppeulven, Au nom du père and Den Blå Orkidé), Elliott Crosset Hove (Winter Brothers, Before the Frost and Muskelsvindler) and Besir Zeciri (Den Gode, Les lettres d’Amina and Pinde & Pistoler). The movie is produced by Snowglobe and distributed by BAC Films.
On Thursday afternoon, IL ÉTAIT UNE FOIS DANS L’EST will be presented as a North American premiere. Directed by Larissa Sadilova (Bon anniversaire!, Slyubovyu. Lilya and Synok). IL ÉTAIT UNE FOIS DANS L’EST, her fourth movie in a decade, is the chronicles of a couple having an affair, in Troubtchevsk, in contemporary russian country. The interpreters are Egor Barinov (Ballada o bombere, Apostol. Ottsovskiyinstinkt and Nebopadshikh), Kristina Shnaider, Yury Kisilyov, Maria Semyonova (La chute, Styd and Tsarapina) and Valentina Kozova. The film is produced by SHIM Films and distributed by K-Films Amérique.
The Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue his honoured to offer powerful Quebec productions to the faithful audience.
On Sunday, November 1st, we will proudly present the Canadian / Irish production, MY SALINGER YEAR/MON ANNÉE SALINGER by Philippe Falardeau (Monsieur Lazhar, C’est pas moi, je le jure! and La moitié gauche du frigo). In the late 90s, Joanna is a young aspiring writer who lands a day job as an assistant at J.D. Salinger’s literary agency in New York City. While her eccentric, old-fashioned boss Margaret assigns her to answer Salinger’s voluminous fan mail, Joanna struggles to find her own voice. The casting is composed of Margaret Qualley (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Fosse/Verdon and Kenzo World), Sigourney Weaver (Alien, le 8e passager, Avatar and Alien, la résurrection), Douglas Booth (Jupiter : Ascending, Pride and Prejudice – Zombie and Lol USA) et Théodore Pellerin (Genèse, Chien de garde and Boy Erased). The film is produced by Micro_scope and distributed by Métropole Films Distribution.
Still on Sunday, November 1st, discover the world premiere of LES VIEUX CHUMS, the most recent feature film by Claude Gagnon (Kenny, Kamataki et Karakara). LES VIEUX CHUMS is the seventh films by Claude Gagnon to be presented at the Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Pierrot returns to St-Hyacinthe, his hometown, to meet again with the people and to the places he loves, even when he lived far away. He comes to close the books and loop the loop. Serene, Pierrot isn’t scared of this early death coming his way. He asks for his childhood friend’s help, Jacques, to end his days the way he wants. This peculiar approach will lead the two friends to a peaceful tranquility. Starring Patrick Labbé (Il était une fois les Boys, Starbuck and The high cost of living), Paul Doucet (L’Amour, Antigone and La chute de l’empire américain), Luka Limoges (L’Ouragan Fuck You Tabarnak, Survivre and Bromance), Marie-Pier Labrecque (Wanda and L’Empire Bo$$é) and Hassan El Fad (L’Orchestre de Minuit, Ali, Rabiaa et les Autres… and Solomon). The film is produced by Objectif 9 and distributed by Maison 4:3.
Tuesday November 3rd, will be the world premiere of documentary RAÔUL DUGUAY PAR DELÀ LA BITTT À TIBI by Yves Langlois (Le Dernier envol, Les Patenteux d’énergie and À Baie Comeau ce soir). Raôul Duguay is a famous poet and singer of the 70s. In Quebec, most people know his song La Bittt à Tibi, but very few of this generation know how important his multidisciplinary work has been to the evolution of the art in Quebec. This film, directed by one of his best friends, introduces all the aspects of this great artist, still very active for this 81 years old artist. The film is distributed by Les Productions Lany.
On Wednesday, November 4th, behold for world premiere of IRVIN BLAIS, LA VOIX DU PEUPLE, a documentary directed by Guillaume Sylvestre (Colombe Sauvage, L’énergie d’un peuple and Laurent Gerra) introduces the famous country singer Irvin Blais. Guillaume Sylvestre is a very versatile man: screenwriter, director, video editor. His portfolio contains over twenty documentary productions, on television and cinema, and among them, many were awarded. After a career as a construction worker on the big projects in Northern Quebec, Irvin Blais leaves it all to dedicate himself to become a country singer. Always snubbed by the mainstream and the artistic intelligentsia, Irvin is one of the five best francophone album sellers in the province of Québec. The film is produced by Magasin Général and presented with the participation of Canal D.
On Monday, November 2nd, the documentary PASSAGE will be introduced as a world premiere, the very first feature film by Sarah Baril Gaudet (Là où je vis), who was born in the Témiscamingue. Gabrielle and Yoan are 18 years old. Even though they both grew up in Temiscamingue, their aspirations are the opposite. While Yoan wants to flee the area to break away from his loneliness and explore his homosexuality, Gabrielle is torn at the thought of going away from home to carry on with her studies. Passage paints a poetic portrait of those two protagonists in the transition to adulthood, trying to blossom and trace their life path. It is produced by La Cabane and distributed by Les Films du 3 mars.
Still on Monday, November 2nd, discover the world premiere of director Béatriz Mediavilla (Habiter le mouvement, un récit en dix chapitres et Danse avec elles), STILL FEEL YOU WITH ME/VOUS SENTIR TOUS. A short documentary about a remote collective workshop directed by Béatriz Mediavilla, at the Portland Dance Film Festival, shot in October 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The next day, Tuesday, November 3rd, the duo of multidisciplinary artists, Geneviève Crépeau et Matthieu Dumont, known as Geneviève et Matthieu, will offer their short films L’OPÉRA D’OR as a world premiere. In this tale, the pizza delivery guy and his wife, Feu Catharsis, share a passionate love story punctuated with music. In a profoundly wild ghetto where misfits and rivalries mingle with, attempts to leave their past behind will run out when the delivery guy crashes into a mutant girl. The film is produced by Geneviève et Matthieu.
On Wednesday November 4th, the documentary QUAND L’AMOUR NE SUFFIT PAS, by Jérémie Monderie-Larouche and Martin Morissette will move you. Melanie Tardif is a horse lover who started to work in the equestrian world in 2010, where she quickly understood how humans often abuse animals. She paints a personal portrait of her retired race horse. A heartrending documentary about the sad reality of racehorses in Quebec. The film is produced and distributed by Éthique Cheval.
PASSIONATING SHORT FILMS: A tasteful variety
Adding to the regional premieres, we will introduce numerous others for the pleasure of the audience. ACTING OUT (Canada), by Jean-Sébastien Beaudoin Gagnon, a film about auditions in a school for young actors, in Shanghai. FAKH/THE TRAP (Egypt/Germany), directed by Nada Riyadh, is about a young unmarried couple who retreats to the depth of a desolate run-down Egyptian seaside resort, to make love and when the girl reveals that she wants their relationship to end. IMELDA 3 : SIMONE (Canada), by Martin Villeneuve, where character Imelda finds Simone, interpreted by brilliant Ginette Reno, the other grandmother, after a life of rivalries, to make peace before the end. The prequel, IMELDA 2 : LE NOTAIRE, will also be presented. Inspired by real insult letters that Imelda used to pen to her son, the filmmaker re-imagines a conversation. Imelda talks to her son, the notary, played by Robert Lepage. LE JOUR DU SEIGNEUR (Canada), by Simon Weizineau, is about a young Atikamekw who spends time with his friends, reminiscing about his dogs, to get over his Sunday boredom. TRANCHE DE NUIT (Canada), by Romain F. Dubois and Maxime Genois, introduces us to Pierre, depressed by his daily life, and decides to exchange the hard work for the hotel air conditioning. UN JOUR DE FÊTE (Canada), by Philippe Arseneault, tells the story of a single mom, on her birthday, a single mom tries to bring light in the lives of her two young children by inventing a car game where they conquer hidden corners of their village. Then, discover a Canadian premiere, WICHITA (United-States/Canada), the first project for director Sergine Dumais starres Quebec actress Maxim Roy. WICHITA is a story about betrayal, introducing Sara when her boyfriend asks her for a simple thing, while she is lying in her lover’s bed. She will only have a few minutes to save what’s left of her marriage: giving us the perspective on the consequences of unfaithfulness.
This year again, the generous offer of short animated films allows us to offer a delicious selection. Among others, three excellent Canadian animated films to enhance the 39th Festival program. LA MARCHE, by Yoakim Bélanger, tells a story where women of all ages emerge from the shadow. Guided by their instinct, they will confront and transmute their own limits. LE MAL DU SIÈCLE, by Catherine Lepage, won the Prix du public at the Compétition internationale Les Sommets du cinéma d’animation. A young woman describes herself on a perfect day, but visual narration paints the anxiety provoking hyper performance. There is also MOI, BARNABÉ, by Jean-François Lévesque, that will be presented as a Québec premiere. Barnabé experiences a curious metaphysical visitation; lightning strikes the spire of his church and a mysterious bird appears, forcing him to reconsider his life.
The Festival is happy to oversee an exceptional activity on Saturday, October 31st, at 2 PM. Madam Manon Barbeau and the three cofounders of the Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, gentlemen Jacques Matte, Louis Dallaire and Guy Parent, will receive an honoris causa doctorate, granted by l’Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), under the auspices of the Université du Québec. For the cofounders of the Festival, it puts light on the hard work they put in since the beginning, for almost 40 years. The Festival has been an important creator of various benefits for the region: cultural, financial, touristic and social. For Manon Barbeau, this award shows the importance of her contribution with young people of First Nations in Québec, among others with the creation of Wapikoni mobile, allowing young natives to reclaim their culture and express it through the 7th art.
Each year, the Festival welcomes numerous cinema artists who are eager to introduce their new projects. Although the current social conditions bring us to reduce the guest list and welcome only Quebec artists, we joyfully announce the coming of about twenty artisans of the movies from our program. These artists coming from other areas will be welcomed following the Public Health instructions. The official list will be unveiled a few days before the event.
For the first time, the vote of the audience for LE GRAND PRIX HYDRO-QUÉBEC and for LE PRIX ANIMÉ TVA – ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE will ONLY be online, on the Festival’s Website (festivalcinema.ca). Just like the past years, people will be able to vote during the whole week of the Festival. Please take note of the criticality of keeping each of your tickets. When you will login to vote, the series number of your ticket will be your unique user login for the films you want to vote for.
If you don’t own a smartphone, a computer or if you have technical difficulties, there will be a few volunteers to help out. From Sunday, November 1st to Thursday, November 5th, they will be in the “foyer” of the Théâtre du cuivre. Thank you for acknowledging the sanitary measures that you will need to apply while taking part in the Festival.
If you wish to win the participation prize offered by Hydro-Québec, simply enter your contact information on the virtual ballot paper.
For 36 years, Télébec and the Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue teamed up to put focus on the creativity of short and medium films directors. One winner will be chosen among 27 short and medium competing films, by the jurors; Bruno Crépeault, Magali Monderie Larouche and Dominique Paquin-Raymond. The victor will earn a $ 1 000 grant.
For the last two years, the Mediafilm prize – Robert-Claude Bérubé replaces the Communications and society prize. Honouring the memory of Robert-Claude Bérubé, the award is given by three jurors based on these criteria: artistic standards and ethical values contained among the 16 feature films of our program.
In the Relève Desjardins section, the Festival and la Caisse Desjardins de Rouyn-Noranda gives a forum to these students, presenting, on Monday afternoon, November 2nd, four short films. Of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue: DROUGHT/SOIF, by Mia Salera and LE VOISIN, by Paco Bonnet, and, of the Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, TEMPS MORT, by Raphaël Beaumier-Dionne and Nathan Gilbert and L’APOCALYPSE CONFORTABLE, by Antoine Girard.
Faithful to its commitment, Desjardins offers two 500 $ grants of la Relève Desjardins. One will be given to one film from the Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue 2019-2020 cohort and to one film from students of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Création numérique et nouveaux médias.
The jurors mandated to determine the winners in this category are Annie-Claude Caron, Valentin Foch and Marika Jacob.
L’Espace court will completely take place online, directly on the site of la Fabrique culturelle. Thereby, nine Quebec short films will be broadcasted in two screenings. A jury composed of three professionals, François Charette, Rémi Fréchette and Aude Weber-Houde will have to choose the winners for the Prix Télé-Québec (grant of $1 000) and for the Prix Spira ($10 000 in services).
The festivalgoers will be able to purchase single (solo) or side-by-side (duo) tickets, in a way that we were able to respect the required distance between seats. We want to remind you that only people from the same address can purchase side-by-side seats. If it is not your case, you must buy single tickets (solo).
Tickets for all projections will be on sale Thursday, October 22nd at 9 AM:
On ticketacces.net (solo seats only);
By phone at 819 797-7133 or at the ticket office of the Théâtre du cuivre (solos and duos).
From October 29th to November 5th, some activities will happen online for you to enjoy from the comfort of your home.
Since Espace court will not be presented indoors, the 18th program will be launched online! The greatest benefit will be that the whole Québec audience will be able to follow this edition because it will be broadcasted on La Fabrique Culturelle, lafabriqueculturelle.tv. Thus, two amazing short film screenings are given to the audience: the first will be available from Thursday, October 29th at 8 PM and the second from Friday, October 30th at 8 PM also. They will both be available for streaming, from the comfort of your home, until the very end of the Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, November 5th.
Available from October 29th, 8 PM to November 5th
ROSELINE COMME DANS LES FILMS, by Sara Bourdeau
RECRUE, by Pier-Philippe Chevigny
THE GENTLE ART OF VIOLENCE, by Andrew Przybytkowski
REGRET, by Santiago Menghini
FOUND ME, by David Findley
Available from October 30th, 8 PM to November 5th
VIGILE, by Xavier Beauchesne-Rondeau
FONDATIONS, by Matthew Fournier
JEEP BOYS, by Alec Pronovost
LANDGRAVES, by Jean-François Leblanc
Go to the homepage of la Fabrique culturelle, at : lafabriqueculturelle.tv
From Saturday, October 31st to Thursday, November 5th, you get the chance to watch or re-watch films that left a significant mark on the last editions of the Festival, straight from your living room.
The Festival in your slippers, why not!
Saturday, October 31st, at 6:30 PM – LES CHIENS-LOUPS by Dominic Leclerc
Sunday, November 1st, at 6:30 PM – LE DÉFI by Mélissa Major
Monday, November 2nd, at 3:30 PM – Special of la Relève Desjardins
JINGO by Danick Audet and Jamie Côtes-Turpin
CHLOROPHYLLE by Valérie Gauron, Marika Jacob, Simon Lapierre, Qin Wang, Yun Wang, Yi Yang and Xiao-Xu Zhu
CONTRIBUTION VOLONTAIRE by Hélène Théberge
DÉPRESSION DANS UNE MER DE SUIE by Élise Massy
ILS ÉTAIENT SIX by Sarah Baril Gaudet and Marianne Pelletier
L’ENVERS DE LA MÉDAILLE by Marie-Pier Ricard
LUTHERIE SAUVAGE by Andréane Boulanger and Jean-François Perron
RICHARD by Didier Belzile and Roxanne St-Arneault
MASSACRE À LA CHINZILLA by Samuel Bernier
VIE ET MORT D’UN OBJET USUEL by Simon Descôteaux, Valentin Foch, Martin Laroche and Gabriel Tardif
Tuesday, November 3rd, at 3:30 PM – DANSE AVEC ELLES by Béatriz Mediavilla
Wednesday, November 4th, at 3:30 PM
LAPPY, RÉJEAN ET PIT by Yvor Barr
VOIR ALI by Martin Guérin
Thursday, November 5th, at 3:30 PM – ALEX MARCHE À L’AMOUR by Dominic Leclerc
From Monday, November 2nd to Thursday, November 5th, go to the Facebook page of la Fabrique culturelle. Between 5 PM and 6 PM each night, you will witness interviews with Martin Guérin, a cinematographer, professor and the host of our traditional brunch-conférence. He will meet, for you, artists with various profiles. You want to be there!
A great way to spend your dinner break between two screenings!
Initiated with the objective of developing the critical sense and the creativity of students, the youth section André-Melançon is an activity adored by the young audience. Since the beginning of the tradition, the film selection for the kids will stimulate their imagination. With the technologies and the collaboration of filmmakers, the Youth section – André Melançon will be presented all week, directly in the classes of all the elementary schools of the region.
The five selected films will uncover different types of animation to the children, and they all come from different countries. The kids will meet, through video introductions, our dazzling hostess, Véronique Aubin, as well as the directors of each movie.
If allowed at the time of the Festival, we will re-offer the cinema workshops to the high school classes. Combining her talents as a mediator with teens and her career as a scriptwriter for cinematographic shootings. Céline Lafontaine obtained a master’s degree in cinema at the Université en Provence (France). She then worked as a scriptwriter for cinema, at first in France, then in the province of Quebec. She participated to short and long films, and on traditional film as well as on digital. Her resume is well known internationally for her expertise in various shooting methods, which she loves to share with high school kids.
A drawing activity is planned with the Centres de services scolaires of the area, with Noranda School and with local daycare centers of Rouyn-Noranda. We invite contestants to decorate their classes with the drawings of the kids, then take some pictures and send them to the Festival, who will publish them on our Facebook page.
The drawing is available for download in PDF format as festivalcinema.ca. Easy for those who want to participate, let creativity be!
Just like the children’s contest, the enterprises of Abitibi-Témiscamingue are invited to dress up with a Festival-themed their display window (or main entrance) of their boutiques. The contestants have a chance to win a “Business profile”, offered by RNC Média, a value of $ 15 000.
The audience will vote for their favorite display window on the Festival’s Facebook page, until November 5th, at 9 AM. A gift-basket with some Festival’s merch will be given to one of all the voters. To vote, go to https://www.facebook.com/festcinema, open the photo album named Concours de vitrines TVA – Abitibi-Témiscamingue 2020, and click on the emoticon of your choice (any of them) and react to your favorite displays. One reaction = 1 vote!
At the Festival, we know how to evolve, accommodate and adjust ourselves to storms, may they be of a meteorological or pandemic order! As you know, we must adapt ourselves, reviewing all our habits.
We want to let you know how much we care about the wellness of everyone, may they be the employees, volunteers, managers or festivalgoers, all the people who make the Festival possible. Know also that we take the sanitary plan about events and festivals seriously and how some changes might be disturbing for some of you. It is why we created a detailed and playful guide to help you out within those changes.
This guide is available at festivalcinema.ca and on our Facebook page.
In addition, a dynamic and thorough team was created, the health squad, to insure the safety of festivalgoers, all with maintaining a welcoming and festive ambiance.
The usual measures apply: if you have symptoms, stay home. You can ask for a refund until the beginning of your screening by calling the Théâtre du cuivre at 819 797-7133. The distance of 2 meters must be kept at all times. The mask is mandatory when you move yourself, but you’ll be allowed to take it off when you are sitting at your assigned seat in the screening room, and you should put it back on as soon as you stand up. Wash your hands as often as possible; if you can, bring your own hand disinfectants. There are no wandering or gathering allowed, inside the theatre, in the hall or in the parking lot.
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The official 2020 program is available on our website at festivalcinema.ca. You can also choose to print only the sections you need. With the help of the technologies and the great demonstration of wide creativity the our team, the 39th Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue will take place in a different ambiance, but still filled with hope to a comeback to normality.
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Sources :
Claudelle Rivard
Louis Dallaire
communication@festivalcinema.ca
819-762-6212
13 September 2023
A Program Preview: Two Premieres Not to Be Missed!
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