J'ai tué ma mère (2009)

Director:

Xavier Dolan

Writer:

Xavier Dolan (written by)

Release Date:

2010 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Plot:

A semi-autobiographical story about Dolan as a young homosexual at odds with his mother.

Plot Keywords:

Anger | Claim In Title | Love | Rebellion | Mother Son Relationship

Awards:

10 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Anne Dorval	...	Chantale
Xavier Dolan	...	Hubert Minel
François Arnaud	...	Antonin
Suzanne Clément	...	Julie
Patricia Tulasne	...	Hélène
Niels Schneider	...	Éric
Monique Spaziani	...	Denise
Pierre Chagnon	...	Richard Minel
Emile Mailhot	...	Classroom Student #1
Pascale Audrey	...	Art Professor
Laurent-Christophe De Ruelle	...	Classroom Student #2
Mariflore Véronneau	...	Waitress
Manuel Tadros	...	Apartment Concierge
Johanne-Marie Tremblay	...	Boarding School Teacher
Hugolin Chevrette-Landesque	...	Student Fighter #1

Also Known As:

I Killed My Mother (International: English title) (USA)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

French

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Canada:14A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Company:

Mililifilms

Trivia:

Canada's official submission to 82nd Academy Award's Foreign Language in 2010.

Movie Connections:

References Fa yeung nin wa (2000)

Stark reminiscence of a teen's painful coming out

I attended a screening of "J'ai Tué Ma Mère" at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival. Based on his own childhood and adolescence in Québec, Xavier Dolan's film probes the relationship between mother and child when the son's sexuality is in question. Awkward early relationships are difficult for any teen, let alone one burdened with his own fears and mother's unwillingness to accept his "difference." Arguments and fight scenes between Dolan and his mom (the stunning Anne Dorval) are painful to watch, but tender love scenes with François Arnaud provide a stark and welcome contrast.

The film is filled with anger, sadness, love, hate, and humor -- lots of it. It's a winner and received a standing ovation here. And some inspiration for budding filmmakers: Dolan wrote, directed, produced, and starred in J'ai Tué Ma Mère at the age of 19.