Education
Celebrating Francophone Cinema
Celebrating Francophone Cinema explores themes of francophone identity, history and cultural icons through the charming biopic Louis Cyr.
It includes access to the film, a 60-minute recorded conversation with the film’s star, Antoine Bertrand, and a lesson plan.
The accompanying lesson plan explores francophone history, identity and culture.
This national conversation, recorded on December 13, 2023, celebrated the 10th anniversary of Louis Cyr, yet remains a relevant and engaging interactive experience for students watching today.
Learn more about the film and special guest below.
This Resource Is:
- Free of charge
- Interactive with student polls, discussion boards and more
- Suitable for Grades 7-12
- Presented in French, with an English-subtitled version available
- Designed for native French speakers and FSL students who can participate in an abstract conversation in French
About the Film
Louis Cyr
In the late 19th century, after years of delighting crowds with astounding feats of strength, Louis Cyr (Antoine Bertrand) was considered the strongest man in the world. In this charming biopic, his best friend recounts the story to the strongman’s estranged daughter — from Louis’ poverty-stricken childhood through the ups and downs of his circus career — and shares with us the fascinating life of this Quebec hero. The film won nine Jutra awards, and was the most popular film of that year.
about the guests
Please note: Guest biographies reflect their roles and achievements at the time of recording.
Antoine Bertrand
Star of Louis Cyr
Antoine Bertrand rose to fame in 2003 for his role in the popular TV series Les Bougon. Since then, he has won numerous awards for his TV work, appearing in C.A., Boomerang and Les Pays d’en haut, and co-hosting Les enfants de la télé. Bertrand also works extensively in film, with key roles in Starbuck, Votez Bougon!, Menteur (Compulsive Liar), Au revoir le bonheur (Goodbye Happiness), and Louis Cyr: l’homme le plus fort du monde, which earned him the Jutra Award for Best Actor.
photo ©️ Jocelyn Michel
Marie-Louise Arsenault
Host
Marie-Louise Arsenault is a journalist, host, designer and director. In 2011, she created the daily program Plus on est de fous, plus on lit, which she has hosted with gusto for 11 years. Since 2022, she has been hosting Tout peut arriver every Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. on Radio-Canada’s Première Chaîne radio. She is also the host of Dans les médias every week on Télé-Québec.
Learn more about this programme
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