The Cinematheque

Vancouver Premiere

“With exquisite close-ups and dreamy musical flourishes that harken back to classic melodramas, Pilote creates an evocative pop fantasy amidst the customary political tensions in a small Quebec town.”

Danis Goulet, TIFF

Sébastien Pilote’s previous features, The Salesman and The Auction, both sensitive, well-observed chronicles of provincial life and our current economic malaise, announced a significant new talent in Québécois and Canadian filmmaking. Pilote’s latest, named Best Canadian Feature at TIFF in 2018, is his most accessible and engaging yet, aided by a standout turn from young lead Karelle Tremblay. She’s jaded teen Léo, just finishing high school, and fed-up with small-town life and the right-wing politics of her stepfather, a talk-radio host. An aimless summer looms ahead, until Leo forges an unlikely friendship with musician Steve (Pierre-Luc Brillant), a thirtysomething loner still living with his mother. Tremblay’s assured, natural performance has drawn comparisons to Elliot Page in Juno and Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird.

“Pilote’s prickly comedy about a restless teen and an older musician is insightful, atmospheric, and engaging … The two leads are simply terrific.” Norman Wilner, Now Magazine

“An appealing, break-out performance by young lead Karelle Tremblay … Pilote’s films are beautifully crafted and emotionally effective.” Demetrios Matheou, Screen Daily

“A neatly observed character portrait in a well-detailed small-town setting … The entire assembly is thoughtful and attractive.” Dennis Harvey, Variety

preceded by

Under the Viaduct
Canada 2018
Norm Li
5 min. DCP

A five-minute sequence shot filmed in 35mm, the directorial debut of acclaimed Vancouver-based cinematographer Norm Li (Beyond the Black Rainbow; Never Steady, Never Still) is a breathtaking work of technical bravura and an artful critique on our city’s spiraling homelessness crisis.

Director Norm Li will introduce Under the Viaduct on Friday, January 11.