Telefilm Canada to fund six French-language low-budget, independent feature
films

MONTREAL, July 28 /CNW Telbec/ - Telefilm Canada has announced its latest investment decisions for the Low Budget Independent Feature Film Assistance Program. Twenty-one applications for French-language production and post-production projects were received this year.

"Telefilm is proud to support the development of independent film," said Louise Deslauriers, National Feature Film Executive - French Market. "The Program drew an exciting array of projects once again, and we are pleased to announce the six selected for funding."

"Independent feature film production is a pillar of the film industry," declared Michel Pradier, Director, Project Financing. "It is vital for Telefilm to support such projects and foster their continued development."

The Program, launched ten years ago, encourages innovation and cultural diversity. Since its inception, more than 35 independent films have been made with Telefilm funding.

Projects selected for 2010 are:

Coteau Rouge directed by Marc-André Forcier and co-written by Marc-André Forcier, Linda Pinet and Georgette Duchaîne, Quebec

The Blanchards are a close-knit family: Grandfather Honoré, Fernand, his only son, Fernand's wife Micheline and their two children, Henri and Hélène. Hélène, who is married to Éric, an entrepreneur bent on destroying Coteau Rouge, cannot bear children, so Micheline is carrying their baby. This family portrait is also a charge against gentrification and a defence of family values, combined with an ironic dig at the bourgeoisie.

Diego Star directed and written by Frédérick Pelletier, Quebec (coproduction with France)

The Diego Star has suffered major damage. While it's being repaired at the Lévis shipyard, Traoré, the cargo's Ivory Coast mechanic, finds room and board with Nathalie, a young single mother who works at the shipyard cafeteria. As a good Christian and responsible father of a large family, Traoré observes Nathalie's life with a surprised but sympathetic eye, accepting it as he does the harsh Canadian winter. Nathalie, accustomed to being on her own, warily warms to the foreigner's compassion. But then Traoré is charged with causing the Diego Star's mechanical breakdown and finds himself alone and destitute, thousands of kilometres from home.

Jo pour Jonathan directed by Maxime Giroux and co-written by Maxime Giroux and Alexandre Laferrière, Quebec (post-production)

Jonathan idolizes his big brother and follows in his footsteps. One night they take part in an illegal car race. They never cross the finish line.

Nuit #1 directed and written by Anne Emond, Quebec

Clara (27) and Jacob (30) meet at a rave and late that night go back to Jacob's place, where they make love. Afterwards, instead of going their separate ways, they decide to talk. They confess their fears, their regrets, their feelings of loneliness, their shared sense of not belonging, of being useless. Both of them see little reason for living. In the morning, Clara goes to teach her third grade class, where the children recite poems that have marked Quebec literature.

Terre Meuble (La) directed and written by Martin Laroche, Quebec

Sophie underwent genital excision in Africa at the age of four, before being taken from her country and adopted in Canada. Twenty years later, having earned in B.A. in film, she gets a job with a touring amusement park. Her boss asks her to make a promotional documentary on the business. Sophie gets carried away with her camera, filming everything, even things not directly connected with her work. Gradually she comes to understand that she is making a film about her own life and the secret she has kept since childhood.

Y'en aura pas de facile directed and written by Marc-André Lavoie, Quebec (post-production)

When you meet Réjean, it's hard to know what's real and what's imagined. As a professional biographer, his job is to embellish his clients' lives. But he soon runs into this problem on an online dating site that requires a video about him and his life. A sales pitch, so to speak. Looking into the camera, he hesitantly begins telling his story, struggling to reconstruct life as he remembers it. But his professional bent gets in the way and he takes the easy way out, hiding behind a concocted tale that makes his life an extravagant adventure worthy of a bestseller. A funny yet poignant story full of twists and turns that will keep viewers guessing - true or false?

About Telefilm Canada

Telefilm Canada is a federal cultural agency dedicated to developing and promoting the Canadian audiovisual industry. Telefilm provides financial support to the private sector to create distinctively Canadian products that appeal to domestic and international audiences. Telefilm also administers the Canada Media Fund. Visit www.telefilm.gc.ca.

For further information: Media inquiries: Denise Arab, Director, Communications, Telefilm Canada, 514-283-0838, ext. 2099, [email protected]; www.twitter.com/telefilm_canada