LES RENDEZ-VOUS DU CINÉMA QUÉBÉCOIS RATINGS (MONTREAL)@Arts & Opinion

2010

THE RATINGS

So far, A & O film critic Sylvain Richard has seen the following films except where mentioned. Here are his ratings and comments, always out of 4, reserving 2.5 or more for a noteworthy film, 3.5 for an exceptional film, 4 for a classic.

Among Sylvain Richard's best ever Québec films = (Le déclin de l'empire Américain, Les ordres, Sur le seuil, Les triplettes de Belleville, Mémoires affectives, Les États nordiques, C.R.A.Z.Y., Silk, Le Goût des jeunes filles, The Blue Butterfly)

For the 28th year in the bitter cold and wintery days of mid February, a grand celebration of Québec cinema takes place. Films selected for this event include many of the past year`s box office hits and films premiered during Montreal`s vast array of film festivals throughout the year. Also included are tributes to important figures in Québec cinema and a variety of premieres from the current year. The RVCQ is wonderful opportunity for lovers of Québec cinema to see for the first time -- or revisit -- an essential part its cultural film heritage. For other Québec films see other ratings pages.

2.6 -- LA THÉORIE DU TOUT (THE THEORY OF ALL), Céline Baril
A collage exploring the every day people that make up rural Quebec -- their approaches and observations. In short what defines them. Completely improvised. The film maker along with a cameraman set out on a journey with no particular destination in mind and the result is a fascinating film.

2.5 -- LE SECRET D'UN MOINE, Yves Étienne Massicotte
A 28 min look at the passing of the passing of the Trappist tradition of cheese making from the Oka Monastery to one in Manitoba. Also examined -- the day to day routines and concerns.

2.5 -- CHEF THÉMIS, Philippe Lavalette
52 min. profile of Quebec's famous chef, Jean-Louis Thémis, founder of Cuisiniers sans frontières. After a 30 year absence he returns to his country of origin, Madagascar, with the purpose of training a group of its youth in his profession to give them a sense of worth.

3.8 -- LA DERNIÈRE FUGUE, Léa Pool
Riveting drama that addresses the issues of dying with dignity and the right to end life when that dignity is no longer there. The patriarch of the Levesque family (Jacques Godin) -- a man used to being in control -- at 75 years old now finds himself a prisoner of his own body. He is suffering from Akinetic Rigid Parkinson's disease. First born, André (Yves Jacques) and eldest grandson Sam (Alliocha Scneider) want to quicken his death by allowing him to enjoy the rest of his life to the fullest and partake of life's simple pleasures while the rest of the family is opposed. The matriarch (Andrée Lachapelle) is torn but when the patriarch declares his wish to die while enjoying life, she accepts it. Authentic and convincing performances. Effective use of flashbacks to contrast the then versus now of the patriarch.

2.6 -- LA VIE DE JÉSUS (THE LIFE OF JESUS), Bruno Dumont
Freddy lives in the small town of Bailleul in Northern France with his mother who owns a small cafe. He wiles away his days making love to his girlfriend and getting into mischief with his friends. An insightful look into the day to day routines of youth in small town France. Slow-paced and low-keyed film.

2.7 -- TOO MANY THINGS, Donigan Cumming
A 40 min. experimental film observing a group of men rummaging through a Salvation Army store. Inventive and amusing. Multi-layered dialogue added to authenticity. Good use of animation.

2.9 -- CAPTURING REALITY: THE ART OF DOCUMENTARY, Pepita Ferrari
Feature length look at the approach of 40 documentarians to their art. Includes interviews and highlights from their most memorable films. Informative and in depth. I emerged with a greater appreciation of the cinematic world we call 'The Documentary.'

2.8 -- HIER ENCORE, Jonathan Gagné
First feature film as director, this drama explores a crossroad that occurs in everyone's life: do I hold on to the past or let go and move forward? Centers on a 30 year old drifter named William Daigle who returns to his hometown in an attempt to reconnect with his past. Convincing natural performances from entire cast.

2.5 -- KAKAKKUVIK (WHERE THE CHILDREN DWELL), Jobie Weetaluktuk
26 min look at the devastating results of Canada's policy of removing Inuit children from their families and communities and sending them to residential schools in the mistaken notion that their culture was inferior and that they needed to be integrated into Canadian society.

2.5 -- AIMER FINIR, Lucie Lambert
A personal 51 min. look at Anne-Marie St Onge, activist and retired teacher living in the community of Uashat-Maliotenam near Schefferville, Quebec. Through her personal recollections she recounts her quest for the meaning of life.

2.1 -- MODERNAIRE, Martin Laroche
Maxime, a young Montreal accountant, has his daily routine disrupted one morning when sitting next to him is a Muslim mumbling prayers to himself. Maxime decides to follow him. Rather pointless use of celluloid. Previous film "La Logique du Remord" much superior.