Region: QC
Le démantèlement (The Dismantling)
A beautiful, evocative and emotionally powerful film about family, connection and growing older, whose startling insight and emotional maturity belies the youth of its director.
Director
Sébastien Pilote
Writer
Sébastien Pilote
Cast
Gabriel Arcand, Gilles Renaud, Lucie Laurier, Sophie Desmarais
Producers
Marc Daigle, Bernadette Payeur
Genre
Drama
Interest
Family Relationships
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Bar Salon
Shot in 1972 but released three years later, Bar Salon is a minimal, subtle drama that tells a tender and socially observant story. This simply shot black-and-white film follows Charles (L’Ecuyer), a down-on-his-luck salon owner who’s on the brink of losing his bar. With nothing left to do but close up shop, he manages to snag a gig that may go his way, but that too goes south.
This tender, witty and relatable slice-of-life film established writer/director André Forcier as a strong new voice in Quebec cinema. Forcier treats his characters with respect and affection, providing compelling insights into the gritty reality of their lives.
Director
André Forcier
Writers
André Forcier, Jacques Marcotte
Cast
Guy L'Écuyer, Françoise Berd, Lucille Bélair, Madeleine Chartrand, Jacques Marcotte
Producer
Jean Dansereau
Genres
Drama, Family
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, Other Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Cinema Libre
Les invasions barbares (The Barbarian Invasions)
An illuminating bittersweet-comedy that won Canada’s first Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. The film also won the award for Best Screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival and nearly 50 other awards.
Director
Denys Arcand
Writer
Denys Arcand
Cast
Rémy Girard, Dorothée Berryman, Stéphane Rousseau, Marie-Josée Croze
Producers
Daniel Louis, Denise Robert
Genre
Comedy
Interests
Arts and Culture, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Dub, EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Barney’s Version
Based on Mordecai Richler’s Giller Prize–winning bestseller of the same name, this rich and hilarious film won seven Genie Awards and was nominated for an Oscar.
“The impeccably cast confessional, with a pitch-perfect Paul Giamatti leading the way, nimbly traverses the four decades in its lead character’s eventual life with considerable exuberance, visual flair and, ultimately, grace." — Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter
Director
Richard J. Lewis
Lewis’s television credits include episodes of Due South, Power Play, Beggars and Choosers, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Person of Interest and many others. His critically acclaimed debut feature, Whale Music, won four Genie Awards. Recently, he has been directing for television, including episodes of Westworld and Penny Dreadful, and is currently producing the series Trigger Me.
Writer
Michael Konyves
Cast
Paul Giamatti, Rosamund Pike, Scott Speedman, Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver
Producer
Robert Lantos
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interests
Family Relationships, Literary Adaptation
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Dub
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Black Robe
This powerful drama follows Father Laforgue (Bluteau), a 17th-century priest, who embarks on a dangerous journey into the unfamiliar terrain of New France. Sent by Samuel de Champlain (Brousseau) to a remote Catholic mission in a Huron village, the young Jesuit travels with a group of Algonquin guides deep into the wilderness, where his religious values are tested against the life-threatening elements of the woods and physical trials that await him.
Written by Irish-Canadian author Brian Moore, who adapted his own novel of the same name, this Genie Award–winning film features beautiful cinematography of the Canadian wilderness and a complex thematic dissection of culture shock.
Director
Bruce Beresford
Writer
Brian Moore
Cast
Tantoo Cardinal (Cree/Métis), Lothaire Bluteau, Aden Young, Sandrine Holt, August Schellenberg
Producers
Denis Héroux, Stéphane Reichel, Sue Milliken, Robert Lantos, Jake Ebert
Genres
Action/Adventure, Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, History
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Bon Cop Bad Cop
Ward (Feore) and Boucher (Huard) couldn’t be more different: one is an English-speaker from Toronto, the other is a French-speaker from Montreal; one never deviates from established procedure, the other is a rebel who refuses to play by the rules. The detectives soon learn that if they are to solve this lurid crime, which is linked to the world of hockey, they need to stop bickering and work together.
With uproarious performances from both leads, Bon Cop, Bad Cop is a genuinely clever take on the buddy-cop genre that will keep you captivated throughout.
Director
Érik Canuel
Canuel made music videos and TV commercials before turning to film. His features include Nez rouge and Le dernier tunnel, Barrymore, starring Christopher Plummer, and the recent Undercover Grandpa. Bon Cop Bad Cop won a Genie for Best Motion Picture and the Golden Reel Award. Next, Canuel will direct the feature film The Burning Man.
Writers
Leila Basen, Alex Epstein, Patrick Huard, Kevin Tierney
Cast
Colm Feore, Patrick Huard
Producer
Kevin Tierney
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Thriller
Interest
Family Relationships
Original Languages
English, French
Language Versions
EN CC, EN Subtitles, FR CC, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
The Boys of St. Vincent
At the heart of this powerful film is a remarkable performance by Henry Czerny as Brother Peter Lavin, who transformed his own difficult childhood into a cycle of abuse and pain for others in his charge. Director John N. Smith grapples with this difficult subject with remarkable sensitivity and honesty, turning a dark chapter in Canada’s history into a thoughtful and affecting docudrama.
Director
John N. Smith
Smith’s credits include award-winning TV docudramas such as The Boys of St. Vincent, Dieppe and Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story, as well as numerous feature films, including Dangerous Minds, A Cool Dry Place, Geraldine’s Fortune and Love & Savagery among others. Sitting in Limbo won the Best Canadian Feature Film award at TIFF 1986.
Writers
Sam Grana, John N. Smith, Des Walsh
Cast
Henry Czerny, Johnny Morina, Brian Dooley
Producers
Claudio Luca, Sam Grana
Genre
Drama
Interests
Classics, History, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Language Version
EN CC
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Le confessionnal (The Confessional)
Unfolding in flashbacks between the past and the present, the film follows the story of an adopted man on a search for his true identity, as recounted by his mother to a priest in a private confessional. Family secrets are on the line, blurred by the filming of I Confess. Further, lies and intrigue are clouding the air with mystery — and the foreshadowed sparks of the Quiet Revolution are growing louder.
Winner of the Genie for Best Film, Best Director and several others.
Director
Robert Lepage
Writer
Robert Lepage
Cast
Lothaire Bluteau, Anne-Marie Cadieux, Kristin Scott Thomas, Patrick Goyette
Producers
Philippe Carcassonne, David Puttnam, Denise Robert
Genres
Drama, Thriller
Interests
Arts and Culture, Family Relationships
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Corbo
Based on the real events that led to the 1970 October Crisis, Corbo follows Giovanni Corbo (Therrien), the son of the rich and powerful businessman Nicola Corbo (Nardi). Perhaps in spite of his father’s big-L Liberal leanings, fresh-faced Giovanni finds revolutionary freedom in the friendship of two activists who encourage him to join the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ). As Giovanni’s behavior becomes radicalized, he quickly ascends the ranks of the FLQ, a group whose separatist desires are turning militant.
Refusing to paint too broad a brush on an important part of Quebec’s history, this gripping, beautifully crafted and moving Canadian Screen Award winner establishes director Mathieu Denis as a talent to watch.
Director
Mathieu Denis
Writer
Mathieu Denis
Cast
Anthony Therrien, Antoine L'Écuyer, Karelle Tremblay, Tony Nardi
Producers
Félize Frappier, Roger Frappier
Genre
Drama
Interests
History, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Les oiseaux ivres (Drunken Birds)
Director
Ivan Grbovic
Writers
Ivan Grbovic, Sara Mishara
Cast
Jorge Antonio Guerrero, Hélène Florent, Claude Legault
Producers
Luc Déry, Kim McCraw
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Global Experiences, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics
Original Languages
French, Other Language
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
Les Films Opale
C.R.A.Z.Y.
The film follows Zac as life takes him on an epic journey to come to grips with his sexual identity. Buoyed by a vibrant soundtrack, C.R.A.Z.Y. boasts countless moments of true movie magic. It is at once a crowd pleaser and a poignant auteur film.
Director
Jean-Marc Vallée
Vallée garnered nine Genie nominations for his first feature, Liste noire. C.R.A.Z.Y. was a box office hit and was honoured at film festivals worldwide. He directed the Oscar-nominated films Dallas Buyers Club and Wild, as well as Demolition starring Jake Gyllenhaal and the hit TV series Big Little Lies and Sharp Objects. He tragically passed away in December 2021.
Writers
François Boulay, Jean-Marc Vallée
Cast
Michel Côté, Marc-André Grondin, Danielle Proulx, Pierre-Luc Brillant
Producers
Jean-Marc Vallée, Pierre Even
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interests
Bullying, Family Relationships, LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
TVA Films
Curling
In a remote part of the Quebec countryside, Jean-François (Bilodeau) brings up his daughter Julyvonne (Bilodeau) alone, home-schooling her in between shifts doing maintenance at an isolated motel. However, vague and mysterious occurrences — a blood stain at the motel, frozen bodies in the snow — soon threaten their peaceful solitude.
Atmospheric and suspenseful, Curling is a beautiful blend of realism with a dash of Hitchcock, set in the icy stillness of rural Quebec.
Winner of the Best Director and Best Actor awards at the Locarno Film Festival.
Director
Denis Côté
Writer
Denis Côté
Cast
Emmanuel Bilodeau, Philomène Bilodeau, Roc LaFortune, Sophie Desmarais
Producers
Denis Côté, Stéphanie Morissette
Genres
Drama, Thriller
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Mongrel Media
Le déclin de l’empire américain (The Decline of the American Empire)
While the story is set in the world of academia, there’s nothing bookish or stuffy about the stories that emerge! Satirical and witty, Le déclin evolves from a comedy of manners to a poignant and moving exploration of relationship and loss.
Ranking twice in the Top 10 Canadian Films of All Time list (both the 1993 and 2004 lists), the film was nominated for an Academy Award and winner of nine Genie Awards.
Director
Denys Arcand
Writer
Denys Arcand
Cast
Pierre Curzi, Dorothée Berryman, Louise Portal, Rémy Girard, Gabriel Arcand
Producers
Roger Frappier, René Malo
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, Family Relationships, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Dub
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Emporte-moi (Set Me Free)
Hanna (Vanasse) is an unhappy tomboyish teenager living in 1960s Montreal. Her erratic father and perpetually sick mother aren’t much help as she tries to navigate the tricky terrain of puberty. Feeling isolated and alone, Hannah seeks to escape in cinema, becoming fixated on the beautiful and freespirited Anna Karina in Jean-Luc Godard’s Vivre sa vie (My Life to Live).
As her home life deteriorates, the confused Hannah attempts to emulate her movie idol, making some poor and potentially dangerous decisions before finding a healthy way to express herself and cope with her world.
A touching coming-of-age story that won four Jutras for director Léa Pool.
Director
Léa Pool
Pool has earned three Genie Award nominations for Best Direction. Her films include Emporte Moi, Mouvements du désir, Lost and Delirious, La dernière fugue and the documentary Pink Ribbons, Inc. Her recent films include the doc Double Sentence and the features La passion d'Augustine and Et au pire, on se mariera.
Writers
Nancy Huston, Léa Pool, Isabelle Raynauld, Monique H. Messier
Cast
Karine Vanasse, Pascale Bussières, Miki Manojlovic, Monique Mercure
Producers
Lorraine Richard, Alfi Sinniger, Carole Scotta
Genre
Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, Female Filmmaker
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Artistic License Films
Félix et Meira (Felix and Meira)
In this story of unlikely romance, Meira (Yaron), a young Hasidic Jewish mother, and Felix (Dubreuil), a young francophone man who is mourning the death of his estranged father, prove the age-old saying: opposites attract.
Showing off the multiculturalism and diversity of Montreal’s beautiful Mile-End district, this unique gem of a movie thrusts its characters into situations they are not familiar with and tells a relatable tale of human connection, which triumphs in spite of many cultural, personal and faith-based differences.
For his unusual love story, director Maxime Giroux took home the Toronto International Film Festival’s Best Canadian Feature Film Award and a slew of international prizes.
Director
Maxime Giroux
Writers
Maxime Giroux, Alexandre Laferrière
Cast
Martin Dubreuil, Hadas Yaron, Luzer Twersky
Producers
Sylvain Corbeil, Nancy Grant
Genres
Drama, Romance
Original Languages
English, French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR Subtitles
Gabrielle
As the choir prepares for an important performance, Gabrielle must confront other people’s prejudices with courage and overcome her own limitations.
“On the surface, it’s a simple love story: girl meets boy, girl likes boy, girl kisses boy. But Louise Archambault’s Gabrielle is much more…a deeply affecting tale of difference, dignity and the healing power of song.”
— T’cha Dunlevy, Montreal Gazette
Director
Louise Archambault
Montreal-based Archambault achieved success with her short film Atomic Saké. Her first feature, Familia, won her the Canadian Screen Award for Best Debut Feature, and Gabrielle was nominated for six Canadian Screen Awards. Archambault also directed the TV series Catastrophe and wrote and directed Il pleuvait des oiseaux, which premiered at TIFF 2019. She is currently completing her next two features, Irena’s Vow and Le temps d’un été. Next she will write and direct My Camino.
Writer
Louise Archambault
Cast
Gabrielle Marion-Rivard, Alexandre Landry, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, Robert Charlebois
Producers
Luc Déry, Kim McCraw
Genre
Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Les bons débarras (Good Riddance)
Soon, the insurmountable pressures of poverty, family strife and her mother’s tumultuous love triangle force Manon to make serious decisions about her future and her relationship with Michelle.
Considered one of the greatest French-Canadian films ever, this evocative tale of passion, jealousy and love won eight Genie Awards, including Best Film.
Director
Francis Mankiewicz
Writer
Réjean Ducharme
Cast
Charlotte Laurier, Marie Tifo, Germain Houde
Producers
Marcia Couëlle, Claude Godbout, Marcia Couëlle, Claude Godbout
Genre
Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, Classics, Family Relationships
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
La grande séduction (Seducing Doctor Lewis)
Since the new factory requires a resident doctor to be on hand, the boisterous and resourceful mayor (Bouchard) sets out to keep Dr. Christopher Lewis (Boutin) in the village. Dr. Lewis, whose stay in the village was caused by a speeding ticket, is a man of eccentric tastes — he loves cricket, beef Stroganoff and women in open-toed sandals. The villagers set out to create a community that mirrors the habits and loves of the good doctor. Will they succeed?
Winner of the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
Director
Jean-François Pouliot
In addition to over 500 commercials, Montrealer Pouliot’s credits include feature films Guide de la petite vengeance and the 2015 box-office success Dr. Cabbie as well as the hit animated film Snowtime!. Recently, he directed the feature films Les 3 p’tits cochons 2, Votez Bougon and the Snowtime! sequel, Racetime.
Writer
Ken Scott
Cast
Raymond Bouchard, David Boutin, Pierre Collin, Benoît Brière, Lucie Laurier
Producers
Roger Frappier, Luc Vandal
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interest
Family Relationships
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
eOne
The High Cost of Living
In the days to come, Henry is overcome by guilt and sets out to find the woman he hit. Her life nearly destroyed by the accident, Nathalie needs a friend, and ends up finding one in the compassionate and charming Henry. Slowly, Nathalie comes out of her shell and starts to rebuild her life.
As their unlikely relationship develops, Henry must work hard to conceal his real identity and keep the truth from ruining his new friendship.
Director
Deborah Chow
Chow’s short films have played numerous festivals and have been broadcast worldwide. The High Cost of Living won Best Canadian First Feature at TIFF 2010. She directed an adaptation of Flowers in the Attic and many TV shows including Reign, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, Better Call Saul, The Mandalorian, American Gods, and most recently, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Writer
Deborah Chow
Cast
Zach Braff, Isabelle Blais, Patrick Labbé
Producers
Kim Berlin, Susan Schneir
Genre
Drama
Interests
Asian Filmmaker, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Language Version
EN CC
Canadian Distributor
Film Option International
Incendies
Incendies is the kind of film you’ll want to watch more than once. With intricate timelines and a family drama spanning two very different continents, the twists and turns of Denis Villeneuve’s celebrated adaptation of Wajdi Mouawad’s award-winning play are explosive, frightening and emotionally intense.
Winner of eight Genie Awards and nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
Director
Denis Villeneuve
Writer
Denis Villeneuve
Cast
Lubna Azabal, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, Maxim Gaudette, Rémy Girard
Producers
Luc Déry, Kim McCraw
Genres
Drama, Thriller
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Global Experiences, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne