TVA Films has acquired the distribution rights to Denys Arcand’s new film Testament from Montreal-based Cinémaginaire.

The satire is produced by Cinémaginaire co-founder Denise Robert and funded by Telefilm Canada, the Quebecor Fund and SODEC. Arcand (pictured) wrote and directed what’s described as “an amusing look at our society.

Testament is Arcand’s first feature since 2018’s The Fall of the American Empire, which was also produced by Cinémaginaire. Montreal-based TVA Films plans to release the film across Quebec and Canada in 2023, as well as other platforms, according to a news release.

Arcand’s feature The Barbarian Invasions won Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards in 2004, where the filmmaker was also nominated for Best Original Screenplay.

Testament sees an elderly man looking for comfort after losing faith in humanity “in an era of political correctness, evolving identities, protests, cultural scandals, militancy, media storms and other debates.”

Original funding announcements for the film from Quebecor Fund and SODEC listed the distributor as Montreal-based Les Films Séville, a subsidiary of Entertainment One (eOne), which is now the subject of a sale concerning its TV and film business by owner Hasbro. The distribution deal comes after eOne ended theatrical distribution in Canada and Spain in June.

Robert said in a statement that partnering with TVA Films for Testament‘s release allows Cinémaginaire to reach a wide audience with “access to a multitude of talented individuals, whether it be in distribution, development or circulation.”

Yann Paquet, VP of TVA Films owner Quebecor Content, noted there have been “many films” by Cinémaginaire that have shown on the company’s platforms “and viewed by large audiences,” such as Yan England’s 1:54 and Sam.

Photo credit: Philippe Bossé