Press Release

2007/11/29

The NFB at the 14th Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois
et francophone de Vancouver

Vancouver, November 29, 2007 – The National Film Board of Canada joins the 14th Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois et francophone de Vancouver, February 6 to 16, 2008, to celebrate the many facets of French culture. Vancouver citizens will see relevant, punchy documentaries such as the closing film, L'âge de passion, by Dany Croussette and André Melançon, who will be on hand for the occasion. The Rendez-vous will also mark the 400th anniversary of Quebec City with two special screenings of NFB films on the fascinating history of Canada's oldest city, and various activities will enliven the Festival.

An essential job of the NFB is to make Canadian films known to francophones in Vancouver and throughout the country. The Rendez-vous is a perfect occasion for the Film Board to show a rich selection of films in French, including this year Les réfugiés de la planète bleue by Hélène Choquette and Jean-Philippe Duval (Les productions Virage inc./Point du Jour/NFB). This disturbing documentary reveals the little-known situation of thousands of environmental refugees. The 400th anniversary of Quebec City, a historical event of national and international importance, will be celebrated with two special evenings devoted to NFB films. The program on February 9 will be Vincent Paquette's La Conférence de Québec (1944, from the Reportages series), Donald Brittain's Le calvaire d'Ortona (1962), Jacques Godbout's Le sort de l'Amérique (1996) and Denys Arcand's Le crime d'Ovide Plouffe (1984, International Cinéma Corporation/SRC/Filmax/ Antenne 2/Films A2/NFB). The second program, on February 16, will be Richard Sadler's Le monde s'en vient à Québec (1975), Magnus Isacsson's Vue du sommet (2001, Les Productions Érézi inc./NFB), Johanne Prégent's Le diable au corps (2007, BBR Productions inc.) and Pierre Perrault and Michel Brault's documentary classic Pour la suite du monde (1962).

The closing film, L'âge de passion (Sherpas Films inc./NFB), revisits the now adult children of Les vrais perdants thirty years on, and re-examines the theme of competitiveness among children. Filmmaker André Melançon, who co-directed the documentary, will give a workshop as part of a film camp for youngsters at Powell River, organized by les Rendez-vous with the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique. His film will also screen in Powell River on the occasion of the Festival.

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Media contact:
Claire Strunck, NFB publicist, 514-496-4486, c.strunck@nfb.ca