As any Celine Dion fan will tell you, the Quebecois singer — also known as Canada’s National Treasure — is something of a comedian. Whether she’s remixing “My Heart Will Go On” with DJ Steve Aoki, using only her voice, or putting her own spin on “Baby Shark” in a “Carpool Karaoke” segment, Dion is hilarious. And so it’s only fitting that for her first major biopic, the legend was played by a comedian.
French comic actor, stand-up and director Valérie Lemercier was more than up to the task with the Gaumont-produced and distributed “Aline,” which she directs and stars in as Aline Dieu, a fictional character who is meant to be Dion.
The film — which received Dion’s blessing via the artist’s French manager — is based loosely on the “My Heart Will Go On” singer’s life, though Lemercier changed names and certain events so as...
French comic actor, stand-up and director Valérie Lemercier was more than up to the task with the Gaumont-produced and distributed “Aline,” which she directs and stars in as Aline Dieu, a fictional character who is meant to be Dion.
The film — which received Dion’s blessing via the artist’s French manager — is based loosely on the “My Heart Will Go On” singer’s life, though Lemercier changed names and certain events so as...
- 7/13/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Gabrielle, Canada's Submission for the Academy Award Nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. U.S. : Entertainment One Films U.S. International Sales Agent: Entertainment One Films International
It's easy to admit that everyone, and that should really mean everyone, deserves to be loved. Not only to be loved, but to fall in love. Unjustifiably society still makes exceptions, and sadly deems certain individuals unfit to experience that deep connection with another person. Rarely portrayed in film as self- sufficient beings, handicapped people are indeed like everyone else when it comes to matters of the heart. Bravely and with heartwarming tact Québécois director Louise Archambault blends a fictional storyline with documentary-like elements in Gabrielle to construct one of the most moving films of the year, and unquestionably one that honors the differences and special qualities of those often kept in the sidelines.
For Gabrielle (Gabrielle Marion-Rivard), the cheerful protagonist, every day seems to be a wondrous adventure. She is a young woman who lives with an infectious happiness for life which shines though her beautifully charming smile. She works at a regular office job and also sings in a local choir, and her days are filled with excitement. Yes, Gabrielle falls into the category of handicapped, but although born with Williams syndrome and living in a facility for individuals with a variety of conditions, she has dreams, aspirations, and wants to one day form a family with her boyfriend Martin (played marvelously by Alexandre Landry), who is not handicapped in real life. He is also an intellectually challenged young man who is part of her singing group at the Les Muses center. As their romance progresses from a simply platonic friendship into their sexual awaking, his mother decides they cannot be together as she believes their condition disqualifies them from the hardships of a romantic relationship.
Heartbroken Gabrielle seems not to be able to concentrate in any of her activities. She is in love. In an effort to bring back her beloved Martin into her life she attempts to be fully independent and demands her own apartment, but her own limitations get in her way. Her sister Sophie (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin), her most reliable moral support, has the decided to follow her fiancé to India, a situation that heightens Gabrielle’s distress at that same time that she must prepare for an important live performance with her choir without Martin’s support.
Like few other directors, Archambault’s filmmaking convictions are utterly inspirational. She cast most of her actors directly from the actual educational center where the story takes place. Not only does this provide her film with remarkable authenticity, something that could not have happened with actors playing make-believe versions of their experience, but it also highlights the talent of these amazing people who are often dismissed as incapable of complex understanding. The director strongly positions the viewer to see them as tridimensional characters full of nuances. They dance, sing, and show their emotions without the societal inhibitions that prevent all others living a “normal” existence, from experiencing every moment to the fullest. Untainted by judgment, Gabrielle, Martin, and their comrades are essentially the purest, most loyal characters one can encounter, and Archambault captures their endless willingness to accept and love others gracefully.
One of the crucial numbers the colorful choir members work on for their show with Robert Charlebois (who actually appears in the film) is his song “Ordinaire” (Ordinary), which Gabrielle has designated as Martin’s song, and what a fitting tune it is. Regardless of their differences, their special needs or particular shortcomings, these fantastically loving individuals are ordinary where it counts. Yet, their circumstances force them to achieve their goals in unordinary ways, which really makes them exemplary and special. Gabrielle Marion-Rivard embodies happiness and perseverance, her performance is sure to transfer that to the audience. Surely an amazingly unique love story, Gabrielle is a joyous and touching portrayal of a singular kind of love, one that is not ruled by vanity or lust, but just exists with all-welcoming open arms. Above all, one thing is made clear, the only disability that can really prevent anyone from being happy is not being able to love, and in that field Gabrielle is above average, if not gifted.
'Gabrielle' Opens in NYC (Village East Cinemas) and L.A (Laemmle's Music Hall 3) on Friday July 4th, 2014
Read more about all the 76 Best Foreign Language Film Submission for the 2014 Academy Awards...
It's easy to admit that everyone, and that should really mean everyone, deserves to be loved. Not only to be loved, but to fall in love. Unjustifiably society still makes exceptions, and sadly deems certain individuals unfit to experience that deep connection with another person. Rarely portrayed in film as self- sufficient beings, handicapped people are indeed like everyone else when it comes to matters of the heart. Bravely and with heartwarming tact Québécois director Louise Archambault blends a fictional storyline with documentary-like elements in Gabrielle to construct one of the most moving films of the year, and unquestionably one that honors the differences and special qualities of those often kept in the sidelines.
For Gabrielle (Gabrielle Marion-Rivard), the cheerful protagonist, every day seems to be a wondrous adventure. She is a young woman who lives with an infectious happiness for life which shines though her beautifully charming smile. She works at a regular office job and also sings in a local choir, and her days are filled with excitement. Yes, Gabrielle falls into the category of handicapped, but although born with Williams syndrome and living in a facility for individuals with a variety of conditions, she has dreams, aspirations, and wants to one day form a family with her boyfriend Martin (played marvelously by Alexandre Landry), who is not handicapped in real life. He is also an intellectually challenged young man who is part of her singing group at the Les Muses center. As their romance progresses from a simply platonic friendship into their sexual awaking, his mother decides they cannot be together as she believes their condition disqualifies them from the hardships of a romantic relationship.
Heartbroken Gabrielle seems not to be able to concentrate in any of her activities. She is in love. In an effort to bring back her beloved Martin into her life she attempts to be fully independent and demands her own apartment, but her own limitations get in her way. Her sister Sophie (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin), her most reliable moral support, has the decided to follow her fiancé to India, a situation that heightens Gabrielle’s distress at that same time that she must prepare for an important live performance with her choir without Martin’s support.
Like few other directors, Archambault’s filmmaking convictions are utterly inspirational. She cast most of her actors directly from the actual educational center where the story takes place. Not only does this provide her film with remarkable authenticity, something that could not have happened with actors playing make-believe versions of their experience, but it also highlights the talent of these amazing people who are often dismissed as incapable of complex understanding. The director strongly positions the viewer to see them as tridimensional characters full of nuances. They dance, sing, and show their emotions without the societal inhibitions that prevent all others living a “normal” existence, from experiencing every moment to the fullest. Untainted by judgment, Gabrielle, Martin, and their comrades are essentially the purest, most loyal characters one can encounter, and Archambault captures their endless willingness to accept and love others gracefully.
One of the crucial numbers the colorful choir members work on for their show with Robert Charlebois (who actually appears in the film) is his song “Ordinaire” (Ordinary), which Gabrielle has designated as Martin’s song, and what a fitting tune it is. Regardless of their differences, their special needs or particular shortcomings, these fantastically loving individuals are ordinary where it counts. Yet, their circumstances force them to achieve their goals in unordinary ways, which really makes them exemplary and special. Gabrielle Marion-Rivard embodies happiness and perseverance, her performance is sure to transfer that to the audience. Surely an amazingly unique love story, Gabrielle is a joyous and touching portrayal of a singular kind of love, one that is not ruled by vanity or lust, but just exists with all-welcoming open arms. Above all, one thing is made clear, the only disability that can really prevent anyone from being happy is not being able to love, and in that field Gabrielle is above average, if not gifted.
'Gabrielle' Opens in NYC (Village East Cinemas) and L.A (Laemmle's Music Hall 3) on Friday July 4th, 2014
Read more about all the 76 Best Foreign Language Film Submission for the 2014 Academy Awards...
- 7/3/2014
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Sometimes it pains me to say when a film is an unwatchable mess. Films like French Immersion, the directorial debut of Quebec-based producer Kevin Tierney (Bon Cop, Bad Cop, The Trotsky, Good Neighbours), has an incredible amount of talent in front of the camera and behind it. It is supposed to be a comedy about the differences between English and French speaking Canada, but instead it’s a soul-sucking train wreck full of punchlines so misguided they would make Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy think twice. Sickeningly unfunny and dreadfully “Canadian,” Tierney’s film strikes out on almost every conceivable level.
There’s enough plot and quirky characters in French Immersion to sustain a year’s worth of television pilots, but Tierney tries to pack every half baked idea he has into a single film. The film deals with five English speakers forced to enter into an intense...
There’s enough plot and quirky characters in French Immersion to sustain a year’s worth of television pilots, but Tierney tries to pack every half baked idea he has into a single film. The film deals with five English speakers forced to enter into an intense...
- 10/7/2011
- by Andrew Parker
- DorkShelf.com
The teaser of the upcoming Canadian comedy French Immersion, which will be directed by Kevin Tierney, is now online. The film will be released on Canada Day, which means on July 1rst.
The film was shot in St-Césaire, Québec.
The story takes place in the fictitious small town of Saint-Isidore-du-Coeur-de-Jésus. The inhabitants of the town will welcome for two weeks a group made of four English Canadians and an American from New York in order to give them a "French immersion". While they live with their adoptive family, the five WASPs must follow one rule: not to speak English during their stay.
However, any of the Wasp who manages to escape to their French school's iron fist go in the town's new Indian (as in India) restaurant. In fact, they feel free to speak English. However, the five WASPs learn that every inhabitants of the town are, in actuality, spies...
The film was shot in St-Césaire, Québec.
The story takes place in the fictitious small town of Saint-Isidore-du-Coeur-de-Jésus. The inhabitants of the town will welcome for two weeks a group made of four English Canadians and an American from New York in order to give them a "French immersion". While they live with their adoptive family, the five WASPs must follow one rule: not to speak English during their stay.
However, any of the Wasp who manages to escape to their French school's iron fist go in the town's new Indian (as in India) restaurant. In fact, they feel free to speak English. However, the five WASPs learn that every inhabitants of the town are, in actuality, spies...
- 2/24/2011
- by anhkhoido@gmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Yesterday, the first images of the upcoming Canadian comedy French Immersion made their appearance on the web site Lecinema.ca. Note that these pictures were taken on the set of the film in St-Césaire, Quebec.
The story takes place in the fictitious small town of Saint-Isidore-du-Coeur-de-Jésus. The inhabitants of the town will welcome for two weeks a group made of four English Canadians and an American from New York in order to give them a "French immersion". While they live with their adoptive family, the five WASPs must follow one rule: not to speak English during their stay.
However, any of the Wasp who manages to escape to their French school's iron fist go in the town's new Indian (as in India) restaurant. In fact, they feel free to speak English. However, the five WASPs learn that every inhabitants of the town are, in actuality, spies who constantly keep an eye on them.
The story takes place in the fictitious small town of Saint-Isidore-du-Coeur-de-Jésus. The inhabitants of the town will welcome for two weeks a group made of four English Canadians and an American from New York in order to give them a "French immersion". While they live with their adoptive family, the five WASPs must follow one rule: not to speak English during their stay.
However, any of the Wasp who manages to escape to their French school's iron fist go in the town's new Indian (as in India) restaurant. In fact, they feel free to speak English. However, the five WASPs learn that every inhabitants of the town are, in actuality, spies who constantly keep an eye on them.
- 6/5/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Toronto -- Emmanuelle Vaugier, Pascale Bussieres and Colm Feore are to topline the bilingual feature comedy “French Immersion,” from director Kevin Tierney.
The $6.3 million Canadian indie film about English-speaking Canadians learning French in small-town Quebec will also star Martha Burns, Gavin Crawford, Jacob Tierney, Marcel Sylvain, Quebec singer Robert Charlebois and Karine Vanasse.
Vaugier just completed a star-turn opposite Piper Perabo in the USA Network spy drama "Covert Affairs,” which is shooting in Toronto.
Vaugier is repped by Apa and Mosaic.
Feore, who is repped by the Coronel Group, is coming off star-turns in "24" and Jacob Tierney’s Canadian indie film “The Trostsky.” He is also booked for roles in Kenneth Branagh’s “Thor,” the Marvel Studios adaptation of its comic book, and the Showtime cable series “The Borgias,” which shoots in Budapest later this year.
“French Immersion” is shooting just east of Montreal, ahead of a planned July 1, 2011 theatrical release.
The $6.3 million Canadian indie film about English-speaking Canadians learning French in small-town Quebec will also star Martha Burns, Gavin Crawford, Jacob Tierney, Marcel Sylvain, Quebec singer Robert Charlebois and Karine Vanasse.
Vaugier just completed a star-turn opposite Piper Perabo in the USA Network spy drama "Covert Affairs,” which is shooting in Toronto.
Vaugier is repped by Apa and Mosaic.
Feore, who is repped by the Coronel Group, is coming off star-turns in "24" and Jacob Tierney’s Canadian indie film “The Trostsky.” He is also booked for roles in Kenneth Branagh’s “Thor,” the Marvel Studios adaptation of its comic book, and the Showtime cable series “The Borgias,” which shoots in Budapest later this year.
“French Immersion” is shooting just east of Montreal, ahead of a planned July 1, 2011 theatrical release.
- 6/4/2010
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Yesterday, the Winnipeg Free Press published an article about the casting of Canadian director Kevin Tierney's upoming comedy, French Immersion.
This will be the directorial debut of Kevin Tierney who has always worked as a producer. The film will talk about the old topic about the division between French and English speakers in Canada.
The story follows five English-speakers: one each from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Ontario and New York. The five of them decide to go in a small town of Quebec to learn French in a school. Besides, the school is run with an iron fist: everything must be done in French. Besides, the five participants are under constant surveillance, because they have to live in an adoptive family of the village during their two-weeks stay. However, those who escaped from the school's grip in order to speak English at the village's Indian restaurant will realize that everybody...
This will be the directorial debut of Kevin Tierney who has always worked as a producer. The film will talk about the old topic about the division between French and English speakers in Canada.
The story follows five English-speakers: one each from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Ontario and New York. The five of them decide to go in a small town of Quebec to learn French in a school. Besides, the school is run with an iron fist: everything must be done in French. Besides, the five participants are under constant surveillance, because they have to live in an adoptive family of the village during their two-weeks stay. However, those who escaped from the school's grip in order to speak English at the village's Indian restaurant will realize that everybody...
- 5/26/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
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