Photo: Entrance to the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain at 340 Provencher Boulevard, site of the Cinémental film festival. Credit: Graham McDonald/U Multicultural Journalism and Media Arts Centre.
The 35th edition of Winnipeg’s premier French-language film festival begins Friday, October 9, with films from Canada, France and elsewhere in the French-speaking world.
In a French-language interview, Cinémental president Marc-François Tremblay discussed the festival’s history and evolution.
The quotes below were translated from French by the author.
The festival began in 1992 as the brainchild of four women who saw a need for Francophone cinema in Winnipeg that was going unmet.
“Before 1992, there were very few opportunities for the public, and for Manitoba’s Francophone community, to see French-language productions,” Tremblay said.
“There were sometimes events every two or three years, but nothing regular or annual.”
The festival began at Winnipeg Cinematheque, now Dave Barber Cinematheque, and moved venues several times until eventually settling at the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain in St. Boniface, a dedicated space for Francophone culture.
“At one point, we asked whether it would be possible to bring the festival back to a predominantly Francophone neighbourhood,” Tremblay said.
“The facilities offered by the cultural centre allowed us to organize the entire festival there.”
Tremblay said the festival also functions as a way to help people meet each other, explore Francophone and Franco-Manitoban culture and help introduce newcomers to Franco-Manitoban life.
“After 35 years, we believe it is a unique way for Francophones to see themselves, identify with one another, come together and celebrate Francophone culture,” he said.
“For several years, we have worked very hard to help newcomers and migrants of different nationalities realize there are events where they can be entertained, reflect on their lives in Manitoba or Canada, and meet other members of the community.”
Many of the films that are slated to be screened will include the participation of the films’ directors and actors.
Quebec director Mélanie Charbonneau will be present at the screening of the opening film Les Furies (The Furies), a comedy about an octogenarian derby champion and a hockey player who assemble a women’s roller derby league in Waterloo, Ontario. Screenwriter and actress Gabrielle Côté will also be present virtually.
François.e, a film about a screenwriter who pretends to be a transgender woman and befriends a transgender woman himself along the way, will feature director Jean-François Asselin.
Actress Mounia Zahzam will attend the screening of L’héritier des secrets (Heir of the Secrets), a Moroccan-Canadian co-production about a Moroccan man who travels to Montreal after receiving a mysterious letter.
Actress Amanda Langlet will present a screening of the classic French romantic comedy Conte d’été (A Summer’s Tale).
Other virtual guests include director Frédérick Pelletier for Un homme libre, actor Emmanuel Schwartz for Kairos, and director, screenwriter and actor Luc Picard for Rédemptions.
In addition, on Sunday, October 18, there will be a screening of short films from up-and-coming Francophone directors from Manitoba and across Canada.
“Short films are the ideal entry point for many people, young and not so young, to learn the medium of cinema,” Tremblay said.
“They allow us to introduce the public to young talent, or talent to watch.”
Cinémental also operates a program for French immersion and Franco-Manitoban School Division students to see French-language cinema in Winnipeg. The program attracted 7,000 participants last year, and 6,000 have signed up this year.
“If they learn early that French-language films exist, and that they can be fun, interesting and enriching, then later they might say, ‘I can go see a film in French, too,’” Tremblay explained.
Tremblay said that the hardest part of running the festival year after year is the financial aspect. Aside from some paid contractors, the festival is run by volunteers (including Tremblay himself).
Last year, attendance totalled 1,500 people and Tremblay said this year he hopes 2,000 people will attend.
“The festival doesn’t happen by itself,” Tremblay said.
“It takes a lot of people, a lot of patience and time, and people who are dedicated and persistent.”
The Cinémental film festival takes place at the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain at 340 Provencher Boulevard. The festival takes place October 9-11 and October 16-18.
Regular admission is $10 per film. Tickets for selected seniors’ screenings are $8 for people aged 50 and older, while admission to the family film is $5 for children aged 12 and younger. A five-film pass is available for $40.
For anyone curious about the festival but nervous about their grasp of French, Tremblay estimated that 95 per cent of the films that are being screened will include English subtitles.
Tremblay said he hopes cinemagoers, including Anglophones, will come, see a film, and be intrigued enough to return.
“All we ask is that people be curious and trust us, as they have for a long time.”
“Once they have had that first experience, perhaps they will come back and tell their friends.”
More information can be found on cinemental.com.
Graham McDonald, U Multicultural Journalism and Media Arts Centre.