Production is underway on Louise Archambault’s upcoming feature, Il Pleuvait Des Oiseaux (It Was Raining Birds).

Produced by Montreal’s Outsiders Films, Il Pleuvait follows three old men cut off from the world, who find their woods threatened by forest fires and their solitude disrupted by the arrival of two women. The feature is adapted from Jocelyne Saucier’s 2011 novel of the same name, which won the Prix Ringuet in 2012 and the Prix des collégiens du Québec, among other prizes.

Archambault adapted the novel and is set to direct. Outsider Films’ Ginette Petit and Nathalie Bissonnette serve as producers. The film stars Andrée Lachapelle, Gilbert Sicotte, Rémy Girard, Eve Landry, Eric Robidoux and Louise Portal.

Filming will take place near Lac-Supérieur, QC, in the forêt de Montmorency and in Thetford Mines.

Il Pleuvait is Archambault’s third feature. Her previous credits include Familia and Gabrielle, the latter of which was nominated for best foreign language film at the 86th Academy Awards. Archambault was among 10 Canadian women directors and actors celebrated for their achievements by Telefilm Canada and Maison Birks at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2013. 

In May, Il Pleuvait was one of 10 French-language projects selected by Telefilm Canada for funding.

The feature is also produced with the financial participation of SODEC and the Harold Greenberg Fund.

Montreal’s MK2 | Mile End will distribute the film in Canada.