Lilies (1996)

When a bishop comes to a prison to hear the confession of an old friend he is forced to watch a play, performed by the inmates, about their youth together, love and betrayal.

Director:

John Greyson

Writers:

Michel Marc Bouchard (based upon the play by: "Les Feluettes, ou La Répétition d'un drame romantique"), Michel Marc Bouchard (screenplay by)

Stars:

Ian D. Clark, Marcel Sabourin, Aubert Pallascio

8 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ian D. Clark	...	Chaplain / Father Saint Michel
Marcel Sabourin	...	The Bishop
Aubert Pallascio	...	Older Simon
Jason Cadieux	...	Young Simon
Danny Gilmore	...	Vallier
Matthew Ferguson	...	Young Bilodeau
Brent Carver	...	Countess de Tilly
Rémy Girard	...	The Baroness
Robert Lalonde	...	The Baron
Gary Farmer	...	Timothée
Alexander Chapman	...	Lydie-Anne
John Dunn-Hill	...	Warden
Paul-Patrice Charbonneau	...	Chauffeur
Michel Marc Bouchard	...	Photographer
Khanh Hua	...	Prison Ensemble

Storyline

1952: Bishop Bilodeau visits a québécois prison to hear the confession of a boyhood friend jailed for murder 40 years ago. The inmates force the prelate to watch a play depicting what really happened in 1912. We meet him as a young man, strait-laced, intent on convincing Simon (now the convict) to join the seminary with him. Vallier, the son of an impoverished and eccentric countess, loves Simon and he is drawn to Vallier, but in fear of his father's wrath for kissing Vallier during drama rehearsal, Simon courts a visiting Parisian, asking her to marry him. Vallier, encouraged by his mother, attends the engagement party to declare his love for Simon. And what does the watchful Bilodeau do?

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Plot Keywords:

male nudity | male frontal nudity | male full frontal nudity | gay | prison | 

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Taglines:

Based on the play by Michel Marc Bouchard

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Fantasy | Mystery | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and nudity

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Chaplain: The confession will take place in the chapel.

User Reviews

Amazing use of "play" technique in a film.

I have seen Lilies on more than one occasion, and am amazed each time at the intricate and ingenious use of the "theatrical" in the movie. When watching the movie from the beginning, it doesn't take a moron to realize that the "play" is being put on by inmates at a prison.

Staying true to the "setting" of the play, the movie uses males to play all roles, including the roles of women. It is unique as the characters in the "play" react and respond to the female roles as if they were women and not men playing women's roles.

There is an incredible depth to the movie that chronicles the life and love lost by Simone through the deception and lies of the "church." There is much more meaning here than just the plight of one man. The movie tell the story of many men and women around the world who are persecuted, imprisoned, and often sacrifice their lives for being true to their love of the same sex. It is good to see a movie that does not portray a same sex relationship as one of casual sex or one-night stands. The relationship is one of committment, of trust, of pain and caring, of going through the good and the bad together. Heterosexuals do not have the corner on good relationships. This movie tries to portray the love between two people and the struggles they faced, largely due to the intolerance and rigidity of the church.

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English French

Release Date:

16 August 1997 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Lilies

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD2,200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$28,781, 12 October 1997

Gross USA:

$301,548

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$301,548

Company Credits

Production Co:

Triptych Media, Galafilm Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1