Mars et Avril (2012)

Based on an acclaimed graphic novel, Mars & Avril is set in Montreal of the future, at the dawn of the first human landing on Mars, and tells the story of a musician who becomes obsessed with his muse.

Director:

Martin Villeneuve

Writer:

Martin Villeneuve

Stars:

Jacques Languirand, Caroline Dhavernas, Paul Ahmarani

1 win & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jacques Languirand	...	Jacob Obus
Caroline Dhavernas	...	Avril
Paul Ahmarani	...	Arthur
Robert Lepage	...	Eugène Spaak - tête
Jean Asselin	...	Eugène Spaak - corps / Serveur automate
Stéphane Demers	...	Bernard Brel
Jean Marchand	...	Pneumatologue
Kathleen Fortin	...	Modèle d'Arthur
Marcel Sabourin	...	Capucin
André Montmorency	...	Pierrot
Gabriel Gascon	...	Arlequin
Emanuel Hoss-Desmarais	...	Marsonaute no. 1
Pierre Leblanc	...	Marsonaute no. 2
Richard Robitaille	...	Marsonaute no. 3
Khanh Hua	...	Serveur automate

Storyline

Montreal, the future. Elderly jazz musician Jacob Obus (Jacques Languirand) still draws in audiences with his mesmerizing performances, playing instruments based on female models, designed by his much younger pal Arthur (Paul Ahmarani). The latest model, intriguing artist Avril (Caroline Dhavernas), entices both Arthur and Jacob. In the resulting love triangle, the old musician is ultimately victorious and appears to be in love for the first time in his life. But then Avril is accidentally transported to Mars, where the first manned mission just happened to land. Enter Eugène Spaak (Robert Lepage), inventor, cosmologist and Arthur's father, who unveils a new theory about man's desire to reach Mars and helps Jacob find the true meaning of life and love.

---

Plot Keywords:

canadian science fiction | french canadian science fiction | montreal quebec canada | mars the planet | lyrical realism | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Music | Romance | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

BULB page - Official USA site

Country:

Canada

Language:

French

Release Date:

5 October 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mars and April

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 2,250,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

EMA Films, Mars et Avril, Productions du 8e art

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot on a very tight budget of 2.3 million, in only 25 days and with abundant use of green screen, Mars et Avril (2012) has no less than 550 visual effect shots, all of which required colossal prep and meticulous post-production work. The film's 1200 shots were hand-drawn as storyboards and then edited with the dialogue in a detailed, two-hour long animatic that mapped out every detail before shooting.

---

Quotes

Eugène Spaak - tête: Ideas don't belong to you, they belong to the universe, your role is simply to translate them.

---

Soundtracks

Les cosmologues
(2:30)
Composed by Benoît Charest
Courtesy of Simone Records (available on iTunes and in vinyl record)
Under license from EMA Films & Mars et Avril Inc.

User Reviews

Best of Quebec's cinema

Yes, this is not a perfect movie, I didn't give 10 stars for achievement. I gave it for pure directing talent. You need to understand Quebec's movie industry. The mainstream movies here benefit heavily from financial government support. Mainstream movies here have average scenarios at best, and most of the time the acting is theatrical when it's not sub par. Even with some of the best paid actors here in the french province. Probably it's all under the influence of a group of people who don't really care about passion and quality.

Not so with this particular picture. Compared with the rest of the local productions, this film is pure bliss. Actually, without being partisan, this picture reminds of one of the best Quebec's directors, Robert Lepage. He also has a role in the film. Actually, Lepage is a genius born at the wrong place where he doesn't receive the deserved recognition. Will Martin Villeneuve be luckier?