Philippe Falardeau, Catherine St-Laurent, Antoine-Olivier Pilon and several other Quebecers will fly to Cannes this week to participate in Canneseries, a growing television festival that could possibly have as much impact as a certain film festival. held in the same place.
Presented in parallel with MIPTV, a major international program market that brings together thousands of producers, broadcasters and distributors from all over the world each year, the sixth edition of Canneseries will open on Friday. Three Quebec productions have carved out a place for themselves in competition: Lac-Mégantic – this is not an accident, a documentary series by Philippe Falardeau, Good Morning Chuck (or the art of reducing harm), a comedy in 10 episodes with Nicolas Pinson, Marilyn Castonguay and Chantal Fontaine, and L’air d’aller, a new fiction for young adults currently airing on Télé-Québec.
For each of the finalist teams, this is a “great showcase” to attract international buyers and travel the planet.
“Canneseries is gaining ground year after year,” observes Chrystine Girard, of Encore Television, a Montreal box responsible for exporting L’air d’aller. “His pink carpet, it became an event. The ceremony is broadcast on Canal. It creates an echo. It may just help us sell the series. »
A regular at film festivals, which he has frequented since The left half of the fridge, his first feature film released in 2000, Philippe Falardeau believes that it will take a few more years before a television festival like Canneseries rivals other festivals. cinemas like Cannes, Toronto and Venice, in terms of notoriety.
“For the moment, the youth of series festivals harms them, but I have no trouble believing that one day they will be as big,” says the director in an interview.
The selection of Lac-Mégantic – this is not an accident surprised Philippe Falardeau. Cut into four one-hour episodes, the series, which will be available on Vrai in early May, promises to paint an unprecedented portrait of the 2013 train drama by invalidating the hypothesis of a fortuitous event. “You would have thought it was a more national subject, but it seems to interest Europeans. »
Reached by telephone, the artistic director of Canneseries, Albin Lewi, speaks of a “shattering” work of “exceptional quality”. “It is an event that speaks of the excesses of ultracapitalism starting from a very specific and very detailed event. »
Before being presented in Cannes, the series will also be shown for the first time to the inhabitants of Lac-Mégantic tomorrow evening, so that they can “learn about the work”, confirms Annie Sirois, executive producer at Trio Orange. .
Just like Lac-Mégantic – this is not an accident, Good morning Chuck (or the art of harm reduction) will also be presented at Canneseries before being served to the general public in Quebec. (Its release on Crave is slated for May.)
Dubbed a “UFO-esque auteur series tinged with dark humor” by Albin Lewi, this dramatic comedy co-directed by Mathieu Cyr (Between the Sea and the Bark) and Jean-François Rivard (C’est comme ça que je Love You, The Invincibles) depicts the descent into hell of a star host (Nicolas Pinson) who suffers from drug abuse issues.
For Lou Bélanger, executive producer and partner at St-Laurent TV, the production company behind Bon matin Chuck, a selection at Canneseries is of particular importance.
In the running for short series, L’air d’aller portrays four friends with cystic fibrosis, portrayed by Catherine St-Laurent, Antoine-Olivier Pilon, Noémie Leduc-Vaudry and Joakim Robillard.
Apart from Joakim Robillard, retained at the theatre, the actors will tread the Croisette to support this “young adult” production directed by Sarah Pellerin. “It’s a series that approaches the disease with a very touching offbeat tone”, underlines Albin Lewi, of Canneseries.
According to Annie Bourdeau, vice-president of original productions at Urbania, the “funny and intelligent” texts by author Jean-Christophe Réhel must have resonated within the selection committee. Especially since they reflect an “urgency to live”.
“Being able to bring laughs and tears from scene to scene is quite a challenge. And Jean-Christophe picked it up. It’s a story that touches everyone. »
In addition to the works in competition, this year Canneseries will offer a master class led by American actress Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cruel Intentions). The organizers also invited Philippe Falardeau to participate in various workshops reserved for industry professionals.
Last year, the Audrey series returned, from Club illico, had distinguished itself at the festival. She left with two prizes.
