Cowards Bend the Knee or The Blue Hands (2003)

It's time for hockey! There's no telling what will happen when the Winnipeg Maroons' own star player Guy becomes embroiled in the twisted lives of Meta, a vengeful Chinoise, and her ... See full summary »

Director:

Guy Maddin

Writer:

Guy Maddin

Stars:

Darcy Fehr, Melissa Dionisio, Amy Stewart

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Darcy Fehr	...	Guy Maddin
Melissa Dionisio	...	Meta
Amy Stewart	...	Veronica
Tara Birtwhistle	...	Liliom
Louis Negin	...	Dr. Fusi
Mike Bell	...	Mo Mott
David Stuart Evans	...	Shaky
Henry Mogatas	...	Chas
Victor Cowie	...	Maddin Sr.
Herdis Maddin	...	Grandma
Marion Martin	...	Mrs. Maddin
Aurum McBride	...	Baby
Bernard Lesk	...	Stickboy
Erin Hershberg	...	Customer / Stylist
Erika Rintoul	...	Customer

Storyline

It's time for hockey! There's no telling what will happen when the Winnipeg Maroons' own star player Guy becomes embroiled in the twisted lives of Meta, a vengeful Chinoise, and her hairdresser/abortionist mother Liliom. Innocent Veronica, caught in the middle, is treated to both services! Meanwhile poor, dithering, cowardly Guy can only stand by and watch.

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Plot Keywords:

winnipeg maroons | search | flowers | sanctuary | soviet | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 December 2004 (France)

Also Known As:

Et les lâches s'agenouillent...

Filming Locations:

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$7,030 (USA) (13 August 2004)

Gross:

$22,940 (USA) (20 August 2004)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alice Krige was Maddin's first choice to play Liliom, but was unable to appear in the film due to an illness.

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Connections

Featured in Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche (2004)

User Reviews

astonishing! give it a chance--an hour well spent

didn't think i wanted to watch this when it came on in the wee hours on sundance 2 nights ago; i needed some sleep. after 90 seconds, i was hooked. i was so stunned by this film that all i could think was, 'clearly a work of genius,', 'the heck with sleep,' and, 'why didn't i set the VCR?!'

cinema and i go way back, way even before college in Paris and the cinematheque in the 1970s, and i rated it a 9, the only time i've ever given my own highest rating to a film here. although Mr. Maddin might not appreciate the comparison, i think his body of work shows a creative mind in league with Woody Allen, in terms of switching genres and excelling most of the time. Billy Wilder is another example that comes to mind. bold risk-takers, all. i just wish i were better to articulate my thoughts on this.

bravo!