Published on 24/10/2024
Montreal, October 23, 2024 – For its 30th edition, the CINEMANIA Festival is proud to present an exceptional tribute to France, the birthplace of cinema. From November 6 to 17, 2024, audiences will have the chance to experience a rich program highlighting the diversity and creativity of French cinema through screenings, conferences, and exclusive events.
This edition will offer a unique cinematic journey, featuring timeless classics like LA REINE MARGOT by Patrice Chéreau and contemporary works such as JEANNE DU BARRY by Maïwenn. It will also showcase impactful films like OLYMPE, UNE FEMME DANS LA RÉVOLUTION by Julie Gayet and Mathieu Busson, presented with the presence of Julie Gayet (also co-president of the Visages de la Francophonie Jury). The cycle dedicated to Iconic Historical Female Figures will highlight LA PRINCESSE DE MONTPENSIER by Bertrand Tavernier, celebrating the strength of heroines in French history.
CINEMANIA will also spotlight French cinematic regions, featuring areas like the Grand Est and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, known for their exceptional support for film production.
The Grand Est region will be celebrated with a selection of films shot in this heritage-rich area, renowned for its dedication to cinematic creation. Highlights include LES FANTÔMES by Jonathan Millet (screened in the presence of the director), LES TROIS FANTASTIQUES by Michaël Dichter, LEURS ENFANTS APRÈS EUX by Ludovic and Zoran Boukherma (also presented with the filmmakers), and LANGUE ÉTRANGÈRE by Claire Burger. Also filmed across various Grand Est cities, JOUER AVEC LE FEU by Muriel and Delphine Coulin, a film that stirred great emotion at the Venice Film Festival with a 12-minute ovation and won Vincent Lindon the Best Actor award, joins this selection. The Coulin sisters, who previously attended CINEMANIA in 2016 with their film VOIR DU PAYS, will personally present both screenings in Montreal. Finally, the short films LES BELLES CICATRICES by Raphaël Jouzeau and UN BON GARÇON by Paul Vincent De Lestrade, also supported by the Grand Est Region, will be screened with the directors in attendance.
The Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region and its Agency for Books, Cinema & Audiovisual (ALCA) will enjoy a strong presence at CINEMANIA with the screening of LA PRISONNIÈRE DE BORDEAUX, directed by Patricia Mazuy. This film, shot in the stunning landscapes of this region, particularly around the city of Bordeaux, features Isabelle Huppert in a highly anticipated role. The director will attend both screenings. Additionally, the Brive Film Festival, in collaboration with CINEMANIA, will present two exceptional medium-length films: MADAME RODIN OU L’ÂGE MÛR by Lana Cheramy (who will be present) and SALUT LES ZINS! by Paul Nouhet. These films showcase the creative vitality of the region and its ongoing support for emerging formats like medium-length films.
Finally, the program includes a 'Focus on New Corsican Cinema,' featuring three notable films: À SON IMAGE by Thierry de Peretti, LE MOHICAN by Frédéric Farrucci, and LE ROYAUME by Julien Colonna. Presented at international festivals such as Cannes and the Venice Film Festival, these films recount the story of Corsica through the lens of independence movements from the 1980s to the present. As political, social, and family epics, they showcase the rise of new Corsican cinema. Entirely filmed in Corsica, these feature films tackle powerful themes of identity. Directors Julien Colonna and Frédéric Farrucci, along with actress Clara-Maria Laredo (À SON IMAGE), will be present to accompany the screenings and engage with Montreal audiences. This programming is made possible with the support of the Collectivity of Corsica, UNIFRANCE, and the National Center for Cinema and Moving Image (CNC).
Founded in 1955, Adami is a key organization in defending performers' rights in France. For this edition of CINEMANIA, Adami will showcase four short films before selected feature films, highlighting original and ambitious creations. Among the selected works, JUDITH HÔTEL by Charlotte Le Bon delves into the dreamlike world of an insomniac, while L’ARCHE DES CANOPÉES by Céline Sallette explores a future disrupted by climate change. Audiences will also discover POUR LE RÔLE by Pierre Niney, where a casting takes an unexpected twist, and ZANAAR by Damien Bonnard and Alexis Manenti, which takes us to the heart of a dormant volcano’s mystery.
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, CINEMANIA is innovating with the launch of CINEMANIA VR, a space entirely dedicated to exploring virtual reality. Located at the Cinémathèque québécoise with free entry, this space offers an exceptional immersive experience, accessible from November 7 to 10, where the public can discover five immersive works that push the boundaries of traditional cinema.
The featured works include:
In addition to this selection, RENCONTRES by Mathieu Pradat will have its Canadian premiere from November 12 to 15, offering an extended immersive experience for the audience.
This VR segment is part of Novembre Numérique and is supported by the Institut Français, the Consulate General of France in Quebec, the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, the Grand Est Region, the Film Fund Luxembourg, and XN Québec. CINEMANIA VR thus provides a captivating and innovative immersion, where technology and heritage come together to offer a unique sensory experience. This program offers an opportunity to experience cinema differently, by exploring new virtual worlds.
Presented on November 13 and 14 in the Satosphere at the Society for Arts and Technology (SAT), SENSITIVE ABSTRACTION is an innovative artistic performance born from the collaboration between visual artist Yannick Moréteau and composer Flore. This hybrid work combines graphic art and music to explore the complex and fascinating relationship between art and mathematics. Through a series of dynamic and synesthetic scenes, the performance examines the influence of mathematical concepts on artistic creation, revealing a unique visual and auditory poetry. Supported by the Consulate General of France in Quebec and the Institut Français, this immersive experience offers audiences an unprecedented sensory journey where minimalism meets surrealism within a cutting-edge technological setting.
In partnership with the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, the exhibition Heritage on Display: National Monuments in Cinema is setting up in the heart of Montreal's Latin Quarter to celebrate French monuments that have served as iconic backdrops in cinema. Running from November 6 to 13 on Emery Street, across from Cinéplex Odéon Quartier Latin, this immersive exhibition features fourteen backlit photographic panels showcasing historic locations that have become iconic settings in major film productions.
Two display screens, located at the entrance of Emery Street and in front of the Cinémathèque Québécoise, will guide visitors through this visual journey. Additionally, a video projection will be featured on the façade of the Bibliothèque des Archives Nationales du Québec (BAnQ) from November 6 to 17. Artist Théo Le Roux, who directed the artistic concept and designed all visuals for the exhibition, offers a fresh artistic perspective on these emblematic locations through his graphic universe.
This exhibition invites the public to explore the dialogue between architectural heritage and cinema, where monuments become integral characters in the art of filmmaking.
The program will be enhanced with conferences on key topics, including the challenges facing Francophone cinema and heritage preservation. Among the standout events is the conference National Monuments: Behind the Scenes of Filming, Impact, and Opportunities, which will be held on November 9 at the Cinémathèque Québécoise following the screening of JEANNE DU BARRY by Maïwenn. With Marina Santelli, head of the property department at the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, this session will explore the impact of filming in national monuments and the opportunities these projects create for heritage preservation.
Another highlight will be the conference From One Ocean to Another: The Challenges of the French Language, Between Protection and Diversity, on November 8 at 4:00 p.m. at the Cinémathèque Québécoise, following the North American premiere of SARAH BERNHARDT, LA DIVINE by Guillaume Nicloux. This event will feature Paul Rondin, Director of the Cité Internationale de la Langue Française; Michel Robitaille, Chairman of the Board of the Centre de la Francophonie des Amériques; and Noémie Dansereau-Lavoie, French Language Commissioner for the City of Montreal. The session will be moderated by Marie Grégoire, CEO of Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ). Together, they will discuss the global challenges facing the French language, examining its role as a cultural bridge across Francophone nations.
The entire program celebrating France as the guest of honor is supported by a delegation of over 40 guests, specially attending to represent the richness and diversity of Francophone film creation. Among these guests are directors, actors, producers, cinema experts, and institutional representatives who will present their works, participate in discussions, and support dialogues on French cinema at this exceptional edition of the CINEMANIA festival. Their presence strengthens cultural and artistic ties between France and the international Francophone community, highlighting CINEMANIA's commitment to promoting the diversity of Francophone cinema.