Opening film: BOOTLEGGER by Caroline Monnet
presented in association with the Montreal International First Peoples Festival
Closing film: ARCHIPEL by Félix Dufour-Laperrière
The Montreal Festival du nouveau cinéma (FNC) has announced that BOOTLEGGER by Caroline Monnetwill kick off its 50th edition on October 6 at the Cinéma Impérial. The festivities will come to a close on October 17 with ARCHIPEL by Félix Dufour-Laperrière. And as it prepares to welcome audiences in person, the FNC unveils the lineup for its Estival du nouveau cinéma, featuring four evenings of screenings from September 2 to 5 at the Esplanade Tranquille in the Quartier des spectacles.
BOOTLEGGER by Caroline Monnet opens the Festival
Industry figures and festivalgoers alike will gather on October 6 at the Cinéma Impérial to celebrate the FNC’s 50th anniversary in style with a screening of the feature début by Algonquin multidisciplinary artist Caroline Monnet, presented in association with the Montreal International First Peoples Festival. BOOTLEGGER was shot in French and Anishinabemowin. The film stars Pascale Bussières, Kawennahere Devery Jacobs, Samian, Jacques Newashish, Dominique Pétin, Joséphine Bacon, C.S. Gilbert Crazy Horse and Brigitte Poupart. Tanya Tagaq and Jean Martin composed the original music. The Festival has a privileged relationship with the artist, whose architectural projection Mooniyang was presented at UQÀM’s Pavillon Président-Kennedy during its 48th edition.
Mani, a master’s student, returns to the reserve in northern Quebec where she grew up. Her painful past resurfaces. Resolved to reintegrate into the community, she gets involved in the debate around a referendum on allowing the free sale of alcohol on the reserve. Laura, a bootlegger, pockets the profits she makes there under the protection of the band council and her partner Raymond. The latter is still angry with Mani, whom he holds responsible for the death of his daughter in a fire. Opposing forces quickly divide the community into two sides who face each other to determine the best path to independence.
BOOTLEGGER is produced by Microclimat Films and distributed in Canada by MK2 Mile End. The film hits Canadian theatres on October 15.
As previously announced, CINQUANTE TEMPS — the Carte Blanche in which Luc Bourdon delves into the Festival archives to celebrate our big anniversary — will also screen on the same night.
Opening night is presented by BNP-Paribas.
ARCHIPEL by Félix Dufour-Laperrière to close the Festival
Félix Dufour-Laperrière’s animated feature documentary ARCHIPEL will wrap up our jubilee edition. After its world premiere at Rotterdam, it played at the Annecy Animation Festival, where it was awarded the Contrechamps jury distinction. The latest opus from Dufour-Laperrière (Ville Neuve) follows a man and a woman as they navigate the waters of Quebec.
A true animation film about invented islands. About a physical, imaginary, linguistic and political landscape. About a real or dream-conjured country, or something in between. Archipel is a feature film using freestyle drawing and precise language that speaks and dreams of a place and its inhabitants to speak and dream of our world and our times.
ARCHIPEL is produced by Embuscade Films and distributed in Canada by La Distributrice de Films. The film will hit screens in Quebec on October 29.
The Estival du nouveau cinéma reveals its lineup
Our first annual summer event! As announced in June, the FNC will present four open-air screenings at the brand-new Esplanade Tranquille in the Quartier des spectacles (Sainte-Catherine at Clark). As the new public square’s inaugural event, the festive get-together will get our 50th edition rolling in a spirit of togetherness. A bar service and food trucks will be on hand for each of the four nights. September 2 to 5; free (reservations required). Program details below.
September 2
The Estival kicks things off with five short films from emerging Quebec filmmakers whose work has stood out in the last decade: STAR (Emilie Mannering), BROTHERHOOD (Meryam Joobeur), MON BOY (Sarah Pellerin), CHEF DE MEUTE (Chloé Robichaud), and QUELQU’UN D’EXTRAORDINAIRE (Monia Chokri). The filmmakers will be present. The program will be preceded by INCARNAT Piano – Film (Charles Grenier and Philippe Cyr), a musical short presented by Ariane Moffatt and the directors.
September 3
Festivalgoers are invited to (re)discover Thomas Vinterberg’s bittersweet drama ALCOOTEST (ANOTHER ROUND), winner of the 2021 Oscar for best foreign film and starring Mads Mikkelsen. To enhance the evening, we’ve got a few surprises and a dance performance planned as well.
September 4
Audiences will get a chance to preview Montrealer Kaveh Nabatian’s feature SIN LA HABANA. Shot in Cuba, the film received the Prix de la diffusion Québecor at the 49th FNC. After the screening, the Esplanade Tranquille will move to the Cuban sounds of DJ Rhythm Hues (Parker Mah) from the Montreal collective Tumbao and the group Chacon. More information on the musicians here.
SIN LA HABANA is produced by Voyelles Films and distributed in Canada by Maison 4:3. The film will be released in theatres across Quebec on September 10.
September 5
To close the event, festivalgoers will be treated to a very special screening of off-the-wall comedy MANDIBULES from FNC stalwart Quentin Dupieux. Presented at the Venice Film Festival in 2020, the film stars David Marsais and Grégoire Ludig (two French comedians known for their Palmashow videos), Adèle Exarchopoulos (Blue is the Warmest Colour) and singer Romeo Elvis (here in his first screen role). All the ingredients for a memorable evening full of surprises!
More information: https://nouveaucinema.ca/fr/
