Montreal: Cirrus Communications is billing Nitro, the French-language feature now shooting in Montreal, as a Quebec version of The Fast and the Furious.

‘We had this crazy idea and a strong script. We wanted to do it, but we have a tenth of the budget of the Americans,’ says producer Pierre Even (C.R.A.Z.Y.). As a result, the $7.2-million ‘action love story’ will rely more on story and character than on expensive chase scenes. Alain Desrochers (Les Bougon: c’est aussi ça la vie) directs.

The plot revolves around a man’s desperate quest to find a new heart for his dying wife. ‘There’s no donor so he decides to take matters into his own hands. From that point on it’s a race against the clock,’ says Even, who cast Quebec TV star Guillaume Lemay-Thivierge (Trudeau II: Maverick in the Making, Casino) and Lucie Laurier (Bon Cop, Bad Cop) in the lead roles.

Even believes it will be Lemay-Thivierge’s breakthrough into feature film. ‘It’s a very physical part, but the character also has to be someone the public will love. It’s perfect for Guillaume,’ the producer says.

Is Cirrus hoping Nitro will seduce Quebecers like C.R.A.Z.Y.?

‘It’s a very different film,’ says Even, noting that Nitro has wide appeal but is aimed at a younger audience. ‘C.R.A.Z.Y. was very close to home. People will be touched by this film but in a different way.’

The two-month shoot will likely end in early November. Alliance Atlantis Vivafilm will distribute in Canada next summer, followed by an airing on Radio-Canada. The project is backed by Telefilm Canada and SODEC.