Babine (2008)

During a stormy night in the past century, the one named "the witch" is about to give birth. Mrs. Gelinas and Toussaint Brodeur are assisting her in the process.

Director:

Luc Picard

Writer:

Fred Pellerin

Stars:

Vincent-Guillaume Otis, Luc Picard, Alexis Martin

5 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Vincent-Guillaume Otis	...	Babine
Luc Picard	...	Toussaint Brodeur
Alexis Martin	...	Le Curé Neuf
Isabel Richer	...	La Sorcière
René Richard Cyr	...	Méo Bellemare
Marie Brassard	...	Madame Gélinas
Marie-Chantal Perron	...	Jeanette Brodeur
Gildor Roy	...	Forgeron Riopel
Julien Poulin	...	Le Vieux Curé
Maude Laurendeau	...	Lurette Riopel
Antoine Bertrand	...	Ti-Toine
Bobby Beshro	...	Mégilde Rivard
Fred Pellerin	...	Narrateur (voice)
Bárbara Requesens	...	Monia (as Barbara Requesens)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Richard Barrette	...	Ouvrier #1 avec Ti-Toine

Storyline

Babin French With English subtitles During a stormy night in the past century, the one named "the witch is about to give birth. Mrs. Gelinas and Toussaint Brodeur are assisting her in the process. Babine will be born in ugliness, and his smile will be mistaken for his "butt-crack". The simple minded child will live burdened by suspicion, as everyone seems to think that all the misfortune that is dawning on the village has something to do with his mother's influence in witchcraft. Even though his life is surrounded by the poetry of nature, and that his harmonica makes the weathercock dance, the boy is condemned to be ignored by the community despite the support from Toussaint Brodeur (mentor and friend), and the Old parish priest. When the church burns down leaving the Old priest lifeless, the villagers seek for the guilty and of course Babine will be accused. A New priest arrive, determined to punish the culprit. And by all means he will use his power to sentence Babine to death. ...

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Plot Keywords:

village | fairy tale | girl bullfighter | quebec | bullfighter | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

French

Release Date:

28 November 2008 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Babin

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 6,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cité-Amérique

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min 112 min (European Film Market)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Curé Neuf: [after Toussaint has deliberately sabotaged Babine's hanging by using a rope that's way too long, thus saving Babine's life] Let's re-hang him !
Toussaint Brodeur: When someone who's sentenced to death survive his execution, he can't be executed again. It's the law !

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Connections

Followed by Esimésac (2012)

User Reviews

A movie that is all about fantasy and tall tales... and tolerance

I went to see the movie last night at my local theater. I was very pleasantly surprised. Fred Pellerin, the writer and narrator of the movie, has been able to weave an extraordinary tale, a bit like Tim Burton's Big Fish. For people outside the Province of Québec, Fred Pellerin is a storyteller, much in the vein of Jim Henson's Storyteller, but with all the energy of Robin Williams when he's on stage, and twisting words to give them new meanings. Thankfully, he tones down his enthusiasm here, to let the characters come to life.

It tells the story of a town idiot in the village of Saint-Élie-de-Caxton. From his birth to his death, his life is divided in chapters where we see how being a simpleton born of a single woman considered a witch in a small village can cause all sorts of trouble.

Luc Picard, who plays Toussaint Brodeur, does a good job at directing the movie. The effects are pretty good, considering the low budget, and all the actors give a good performance, especially Vincent-Guillaume Otis in the lead role.

The only downside for anyone who doesn't speak French, or who isn't familiar with Québécois, will be the difficulty to understand some expressions, especially since they have been twisted to give them new meaning.