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.

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Plot Keywords:

life cycle | canadian science fiction | french canadian science fiction | consciousness | mythology | 

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Martin Villeneuve was with Caroline Dhavernas at the Whistler Film Festival in December 2012, giving a Q&A about his film Mars et Avril (2012), when he was given a phenomenal opportunity. TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) curator Chris Anderson was in the audience, unbeknownst to Villeneuve, who at that moment was providing Anderson with an audition for his own stage.

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Quotes

Avril: I'm just looking forward to having Jacob Obus run his fingers down my body.

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Soundtracks

Bande-annonce
/ Trailer music (2:17)
Composed by Ramachandra Borcar (DJ Ram)
Available on SoundCloud
Under license from EMA Films & Mars et Avril Inc.

User Reviews

Beautiful film

I think this film is exquisite and intelligent. Perhaps not made for the ordinary moviegoer and maybe a little bit too long, but certainly brilliant in its context and perfect visually. One must pay attention to detail to appreciate the depth of this artwork. Costumes, make up and hair did a magnificent job creating a "futuristic" look. What does the future hold? How will we dress, what will we drink, what will we do? The music and sound effects are magnificent, the visual effects are extraordinary. Futuristic Montreal is quite beautiful. Art department created a warmth that is perfectly in sync with the slow drawn out feeling of this new universe. If our future it is anything like this film where beauty and thought, where love and passion seem to be the principal motivators, I am looking forward to it. To appreciate the film, one must also listen carefully to the discourse about music, the universe and time and about love and beauty. I believe this film should be watched more than once.

Details

Official Sites:

BULB page - Official USA site Full movie in HD on Vimeo

Country:

Canada

Language:

French

Release Date:

5 October 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mars and April

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD2,250,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mars et Avril, Productions du 8e art

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1