Viking, by Stéphane Lafleur, Babysitter, by Monia Chokri, The Red Rooms, by Pascal Plante, and The Diver, by Francis Leclerc garnered the highest number of citations at the unveiling of the finalists for the 25th Gala Québec Cinéma.
Abandoned by Radio-Canada in October 2022, rescued by Bell Media last July, the Gala Québec Cinéma will rise from its ashes in December. “The idea is that it encourages people to consume Quebec films that they will have heard about during the holiday season,” says Dominique Dugas, new director of Québec Cinéma. What we saw this year compared to other years is that Quebec cinema is experiencing a resurgence and, as we see in the Audience Award category, films by female directors have done very well. »
In total, 47 films from all categories, released between March 6, 2022 and August 31, 2023, will compete for 30 Iris awards. “We didn’t want films to be penalized, that they not be considered for any gala,” explains Dominique Dugas. We then find ourselves with 18 months of production, that is to say more films, more competition. The fear we had was that the films released last spring would be forgotten by voters, but the nominations prove to us that this is not the case. Next year, films released between September 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024 will be nominated. »
In addition to Viking, by Stéphane Lafleur, which dominates with 18 selections, Babysitter, by Monia Chokri, The Red Rooms, by Pascal Plante, and The Diver, by Francis Leclerc stand out with respectively 14, 13 and 12 citations each. To these four films appearing in the Best Film category are added Arsenault et fils, by Rafaël Ouellet, Falcon Lake, by Charlotte LeBon, and Noémie dit oui, by Geneviève Albert, which received 8, 6 and 4 selections respectively.
First, actress Fabiola Nyrva Aladin, who appears in the Revelation of the Year category for her role as Janet in Viking, by Stéphane Lafleur, will host the 8th Gala Artisans Québec Cinéma on December 7 at Studio TD, at 7 p.m. h:30. In all, 18 awards will be presented, including the Iris in the technical categories, documentaries and short films.
“I’m experiencing great emotions,” says Fabiola Nyrva Aladin. It’s been two years since we went to Alberta to shoot Viking; With the gala coming up, the memories of this shoot, where there was a lot of love and learning, come back to me. »
Secondly, it will be Jay Du Temple’s turn to take the helm of the 25th Gala Québec Cinéma on December 10 from 8 p.m. on Noovo and Noovo.ca. During this evening, 12 Iris awards will be distributed, including those for Best Film and the Audience Award, in the category we find December 23, by Myriam Bouchard, Confessions, by Luc Picard, Katak the brave beluga, by Christine Dallaire- Dupont and Nicola Lemay, The Time of a Summer, by Louise Archambault, and My Mother’s Men, by Anik Jean.
Having not yet seen all the nominated films, the two hosts are taking advantage of the last few days to watch up to three films a day: “It’s a great problem, having to watch Quebec films,” says Jay Du Temple. I hope to have seen everything by the gala. »
“There comes a time when we have to remember that we are just humans doing small business between humans, so it’s a good guide to take that pressure off ourselves,” explains Fabiola Nyrva Aladin about the renewal embodied by the two hosts, who will have the task of reigniting public interest in the Gala Québec Cinéma.
Host of the first edition of the gala, at the time when it was called La grande nuit du cinéma, Rémy Girard, who holds the record for the greatest number of roles in cinema, will receive the Iris Hommage prize for his entire career.
“The Gala Québec Cinéma is the national anthem of Quebec cinema! “, exclaimed on stage the actor starring in Testament, by Denys Arcand.
Starting today, movie fans can vote for the Gala Québec Cinéma Audience Award on the Noovo website. In addition, from December 8 to 12, the public will be able to see or rewatch the finalist films on Crave and on the Québec Cinéma website.
“The gala is like an annual celebration,” concludes filmmaker Francis Leclerc, very happy with the 12 quotes from The Diver. I would find it super boring if we took away this party because it’s an occasion where we see each other, where we congratulate each other. I am a pessimist by nature, but we must admit that Quebec cinema had a great summer and a great fall. »
