About Les Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma
Since 1983, Les Rendez-vous have presented a wide range of cinematic genres, with works by new and established filmmakers. Featuring an annual program of more than 300 films, including some 100 premieres along with a comprehensive line-up of free activities, for 11 days the festival is the ultimate celebration of Québec’s films, with plenty of opportunities for audiences and filmmakers to meet.
Cinephiles will discover experimental flicks, virtual reality experiences, student films and great programs of short and medium features, both in fiction and documentary form. While most films presented are in French, a few are in English and others have English subtitles.
Here are some of the most exciting films being screened at the 38th annual edition of Les Rendez-vous. Bon cinéma!
Les Nôtres
Directed by Jeanne Leblanc, who co-wrote the film with Judith Baribeau, the French-language Les Nôtres will launch the festival on February 26, with a gala world premiere at the historic Cinéma Impérial. The film stars Émilie Bierre, Marianne Farley, Judith Baribeau and Paul Doucet.
Jusqu'au Déclin
Directed by Patrice Laliberté, the French-language Nordic thriller Jusqu'au Déclin is the first Québec-made film funded by Netflix. The world premiere will be held on February 28 at the Cinéma Impérial with the filmmakers in attendance.
The Death and Life of John F. Donovan
Directed by Xavier Dolan, the English-language (French-subtitled) The Death and Life of John F. Donovan stars Kit Harington, Natalie Portman, Susan Sarandon, Kathy Bates, Thandie Newton, Jacob Tremblay and Ben Schnetzer. The film tells the story of a young actor’s childhood correspondence with an American television star, and explores sexual identity, mother-child relationships and celebrity.
Mad Dog & The Butcher - Les derniers vilains
Directed by Thomas Rinfret, the much-anticipated feature-length documentary Mad Dog & The Butcher - Les derniers vilains chronicles the lives of iconic Québec professional wrestlers and brothers Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon and Paul “The Butcher” Vachon. In French and English, with bilingual subtitles.
Jukebox: un rêve américain fait au Québec
Co-directed by Éric Ruel and Guylaine Maroist, this French-language feature-length documentary Jukebox: un rêve américain fait au Québec will close the festival on March 7. Jukebox tells the story of Denis Pantis, the son of Greek immigrants who became obsessed with rock and roll in the 1950s. His dream was to be the next Elvis, but instead he became Québec’s most important record producer of the 1960s. Jukebox looks back on the career of “the king of the 45.”
The screening will be followed by the Jukebox closing night party in the Cinémathèque québécoise, which will be converted into a go-go-club with yéyé music, live music, dancers and surprise guests.
Master classes and public Q&As
The Rendez-vous present four master classes this year, including with cinematographer Yves Bélanger (Richard Jewell by Clint Eastwood) on February 29, and film editor Dominique Fortin, who has edited more than 50 films, including the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, on March 4.
There will also be a public Q&A with young, popular actor Théodore Pellerin (Chien de garde) on March 1. Free admission.
For more information and tickets for the 38th Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma, visit quebeccinema.ca.
