with “Social Hygiene,” which brought him the best director prize in the Berlinale Encounters sidebar (shared with Ramon and Silvan Zürcher for “The Girl and the Spider”). The tendency to dodge from sincerity to satire and vice versa is unmistakably self-serving, but parsing the foibles of this little comedy makes a pleasant diversion, for a film that largely amounts to stagey scenes of two people bellowing petty philosophies at each other across a blustery meadow.
In the first setup, composed of two-thirds sky and one third grassy field that rolls away to distant mountains, the dissipated Antonin (Maxim Gaudette) is disappointing his sister Solveig (Larissa Corriveau). Their very names may be reminiscent of Chekhov and Ibsen, and their declamations may have a ring of 19th-century dramaturgy to them, but these characters are carefully styled to appear somewhat timeless, and their exchanges are peppered with references to Volkswagens and discount mattresses.
In the first setup, composed of two-thirds sky and one third grassy field that rolls away to distant mountains, the dissipated Antonin (Maxim Gaudette) is disappointing his sister Solveig (Larissa Corriveau). Their very names may be reminiscent of Chekhov and Ibsen, and their declamations may have a ring of 19th-century dramaturgy to them, but these characters are carefully styled to appear somewhat timeless, and their exchanges are peppered with references to Volkswagens and discount mattresses.
- 3/16/2021
- by Jessica Kiang
- Variety Film + TV
An aura of pure eccentricity billows off the new film by Québécois provocateur Denis Côté, like a fug of stale-smelling nitrous oxide. Akin to his prior work only in its magpie-like experimental sensibility, Social Hygiene finds the festival mainstay delving into the static visuals of filmed-theatre presentations, but with a postmodern streak that collapses historical eras and cinematic conventions at will. All through its compact but still satisfying 75-minute runtime, the viewer is liable to ask, “What on earth is this?”, and by its finale, this unanswered query feels rewarding as opposed to exasperating. But you can still feel Côté chuckling behind our backs.
Social Hygiene has an austerity of means initiated by a modest budget, although Côté has opted for this to harness the experimentation it frees up. So we have the majority of the action taking place in around half-a-dozen set-ups of static master shots, all photographed from...
Social Hygiene has an austerity of means initiated by a modest budget, although Côté has opted for this to harness the experimentation it frees up. So we have the majority of the action taking place in around half-a-dozen set-ups of static master shots, all photographed from...
- 3/2/2021
- by David Katz
- The Film Stage
Following hard on the heels of the film’s selection for this year’s Berlin Film Festival Encounters section, director Denis Côté has shared a first trailer for his new movie “Social Hygiene,” the latest from the Canadian director who won a Silver Bear for 2013’s “Vic+Flo Saw a Bear.”
At first glance, if the trailer is anything to go by, “Social Hygiene” seems at first glance a perfect pandemic movie: characters talking much more than two meters apart in a fresh verdant Canadian countryside.
Côté, however, wrote the movie — even down to its title — in 2015 when alone on holiday in Sarajevo “in a state of alienation.” The only Covid-19 connection is the film’s expression of a desire to flee and to defy reality and his desire to make a comedy in such somber times, he’s said.
That escapist need is embodied in Antonin who’s confronted...
At first glance, if the trailer is anything to go by, “Social Hygiene” seems at first glance a perfect pandemic movie: characters talking much more than two meters apart in a fresh verdant Canadian countryside.
Côté, however, wrote the movie — even down to its title — in 2015 when alone on holiday in Sarajevo “in a state of alienation.” The only Covid-19 connection is the film’s expression of a desire to flee and to defy reality and his desire to make a comedy in such somber times, he’s said.
That escapist need is embodied in Antonin who’s confronted...
- 2/10/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Unlike last year's two filmmaker/film horse race between Denis Villeneuve's Polytechnique and Xavier Dolan's J'ai tué ma mere, this year it was all "Villeneuve" and "Incendies". Repeating his wins in all the same categories it won at the Canadian Oscars (Genies) this week (this includes Editing, Screenplay, Best Cinematography by the excellent André Turpin, Best Actress in Lubna Azabal (who forced here co-star Melissa Desormeaux-Poulin to give her own thank you speech). These wins more than makes up for his loss last year when Villeneuve won the Best Director honor for Polytechnique, but lost in the Best Film category to J'ai tué ma mere. The predictable 13th edition also saw a Genie-Jutra winner from Barney's Version and in the Animated Film category, the Nfb (naturally) supported Theodore Ushev added a Jutra to his Genie for Lipsett Diaries. Best Film/meilleur film 10 1/2 - Pierre Gendron (Zoofilms) Les amours imaginaires - Xavier Dolan,...
- 3/14/2011
- IONCINEMA.com
Yesterday, Montreal's Festival du nouveau cinéma (Fnc), which will take place from October 13 to 24, revealed its full line-up of films. Nineteen Canadian feature films and documentaries will be presented. However, don't expect to see all films that were screened at the latest Toronto or Vancouver International Film Festivals.
Opening film:
10 1/2
Director: Daniel Grou (Podz)
Starring: Claude Legault, Robert Naylor and Albert Kwan
International selection
Jo pour Jonathan
Director: Maxime Giroux
Starring: Jean-Sébastien Courchesne, Raphaël Lacaille, Jean-Alexandre Létourneau and Vanessa Pilon
Focus Québec/Canada
A Night for Dying Tigers
Director: Terry Miles
Starring: Jennifer Beals, Gil Bellows, Lauren Lee Smith, Tygh Runyan, Kathleen Robertson, John Pyper-Ferguson, Leah Gibson, Sarah Lind and Jessica Heafey
Affinity Point
Director: Deeh
Starring: Danielle Hubbard, Jason D. Pitre, Sophie Ricard and Yann Faussurier
2 fois une femme
Director: François Delisle
Starring: Evelyne Rompré, Marc Béland and Catherine de Léan
Falardeau (Documentary)
Director: German Gutierrez and Carmen Garcia...
Opening film:
10 1/2
Director: Daniel Grou (Podz)
Starring: Claude Legault, Robert Naylor and Albert Kwan
International selection
Jo pour Jonathan
Director: Maxime Giroux
Starring: Jean-Sébastien Courchesne, Raphaël Lacaille, Jean-Alexandre Létourneau and Vanessa Pilon
Focus Québec/Canada
A Night for Dying Tigers
Director: Terry Miles
Starring: Jennifer Beals, Gil Bellows, Lauren Lee Smith, Tygh Runyan, Kathleen Robertson, John Pyper-Ferguson, Leah Gibson, Sarah Lind and Jessica Heafey
Affinity Point
Director: Deeh
Starring: Danielle Hubbard, Jason D. Pitre, Sophie Ricard and Yann Faussurier
2 fois une femme
Director: François Delisle
Starring: Evelyne Rompré, Marc Béland and Catherine de Léan
Falardeau (Documentary)
Director: German Gutierrez and Carmen Garcia...
- 9/29/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
If you plan to attend to the 15th Pusan International Film Festival in South Korea, have in mind that eight Canadian films will be part of its line-up. The festival will be held from October 7 to 15, 2010.
All the eight Canadian films will be part of the festival's official selection.
World Cinema Program: 2 fois une femme
Director: François Deslile
Starring: Evelyne Rompré, Marc Béland, Étienne Laforge, David Boutin, Michelle Rossignol, Marie Brassard, Alexandre Goyette, Catherine de Léan and Brigitte Pogonat
After having her life threatened by her violent husband one night, Catherine heads for northern Quebec with her son under another identity. Slowly, she rebuilds her confidence and rediscovers who she is while trying to win over her son’s affection. Les amours imaginaires
Director: Xavier Dolan
Starring: Xavier Dolan, Monia Chokri and Niels Schneider
The film is about two friends (Xavier Dolan and Monia Chokri) who meet a guy (Niels Schneider) during a party.
All the eight Canadian films will be part of the festival's official selection.
World Cinema Program: 2 fois une femme
Director: François Deslile
Starring: Evelyne Rompré, Marc Béland, Étienne Laforge, David Boutin, Michelle Rossignol, Marie Brassard, Alexandre Goyette, Catherine de Léan and Brigitte Pogonat
After having her life threatened by her violent husband one night, Catherine heads for northern Quebec with her son under another identity. Slowly, she rebuilds her confidence and rediscovers who she is while trying to win over her son’s affection. Les amours imaginaires
Director: Xavier Dolan
Starring: Xavier Dolan, Monia Chokri and Niels Schneider
The film is about two friends (Xavier Dolan and Monia Chokri) who meet a guy (Niels Schneider) during a party.
- 9/8/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
While Xavier Dolan's Les amours imaginaires and Noah Pink's ZedCrew are competing at the Cannes Film Festival, other Canadian films will be looking for distributors. Now, let's have a look at the Canadian presence at the 2010 Cannes Film Market.
2 fois une femme
Director: François Deslile
Starring: Evelyne Rompré, Marc Béland, Étienne Laforge, David Boutin, Michelle Rossignol, Marie Brassard, Alexandre Goyette, Catherine de Léan and Brigitte Pogonat
After having her life threatened by her violent husband one night, Catherine heads for northern Quebec with her son under another identity. Slowly, she rebuilds her confidence and rediscovers who she is while trying to win over her son’s affection.
Stained
Director: Karen Lam
Starring: Tinsel Korey, Sonja Bennett, Steph Song, Anna Mae Routledge and Stephen Lobo
When Isabelle’s former lover suddenly appears at her shabby bookstore, she is elated and they resume their relationship. Her protective foster sister, Jennifer,...
2 fois une femme
Director: François Deslile
Starring: Evelyne Rompré, Marc Béland, Étienne Laforge, David Boutin, Michelle Rossignol, Marie Brassard, Alexandre Goyette, Catherine de Léan and Brigitte Pogonat
After having her life threatened by her violent husband one night, Catherine heads for northern Quebec with her son under another identity. Slowly, she rebuilds her confidence and rediscovers who she is while trying to win over her son’s affection.
Stained
Director: Karen Lam
Starring: Tinsel Korey, Sonja Bennett, Steph Song, Anna Mae Routledge and Stephen Lobo
When Isabelle’s former lover suddenly appears at her shabby bookstore, she is elated and they resume their relationship. Her protective foster sister, Jennifer,...
- 5/12/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
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