The Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue team has been waiting a long time for this moment! Today, we have the privilege of unveiling the colors and many features of the programming for the 42nd Festival, which runs from October 28 to November 2, 2023.
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.
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, and 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.”
The world premiere of DIS-MOI POURQUOI CES CHOSES SONT SI BELLES…, by director Lyne Charlebois and produced by Roger Frappier, will be held on the closing evening of the Festival, Thursday November 2, 2023. The film is inspired by the passionate epistolary relationship between Brother Marie-Victorin (Alexandre Goyette) and the young Marcelle Gauvreau (Mylène Mackay). The film was shot from the North Shore to Cuba, via Montreal. The film highlights the passion the 2 main characters have for each other, as well as their love of nature. The film is distributed by Les films Opales.
SYNOPSIS
In the 1930s, Brother Marie-Victorin is 46 years old when he meets 23-year-old Marcelle Gauvreau, both of whom have had near-death experiences and share the same love of God and nature. He becomes her teacher, and she, his assistant. Their friendship evolves; Marie-Victorin discusses sexuality with Marcelle, commenting on her own intimate experiences. In an epistolary exchange that lasts until Marie-Victorin’s death, they explore human desires and “unmasked biology.”
We’re delighted to announce that we’ll be presenting the short film CHAT MORT at the Festival’s opening night on October 28. The film won “Best narrative short film” at the Tribeca Festival in New York, making it eligible for the Oscars. The film was directed by Annie-Claude Caron and Danick Audet, both from Rouyn-Noranda. The film tells the story of parents (Léane Labrèche-Dor & Pierre-Yves Cardinal) who try to protect their daughter (Lilas-Rose Cantin) from the reality of death, but they do so with as much humor as depth. Young Lilas-Rose’s excellent performance was recognized at Tribeca. The film is distributed by La boîte à Fanny et Astrid Barrette Tessier.
On Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the Centre des congrès, we’ll be delighted to welcome Kim Thúy and Charles-Olivier Michaud. Kim Thúy is a Vietnamese-born Quebec writer who won several prestigious literary awards for her novel RU. The work is adapted for the big screen by Quebec director Charles-Olivier Michaud and will be released in theatres at the end of November. Charles-Olivier has directed several TV series, including Boomerang, M’entends-tu and Prémonitions.
SYNOPSIS
After a dangerous sea crossing and a stay in a camp in Malaysia, young Vietnamese Tinh and her family are accepted as refugees in Canada and arrive in Granby, where they begin their new life. But for Tinh, adapting has its share of difficulties. Already shy and reserved by nature, she has to learn a new language and integrate into her new environment. Haunted by the hardships of the journey, Tinh will have to dig deep within herself for the resilience she needs to survive and thrive.
Passports, opening night, and brunch tickets go on sale September 15!
Stay tuned to our website and social networks.
13 September 2023
A Program Preview: Two Premieres Not to Be Missed!
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