Biological clock commences

Montreal: What could be more consuming than the deafening sound of a woman’s biological clock? The delicate topic is treated with tender gloves in Maman Last Call, which wrapped its 27-day Montreal shoot in mid-February and is currently in post.

Produced by Christian Larouche and Pierre Gendron at Christal Films Productions, this $3.5-million comedic drama is based on a same-titled book by popular Quebec media personality Nathalie Petrowski, who also wrote the script.

‘When the book came out in the mid-1990s, I bought the rights from Nathalie immediately,’ recalls Larouche. ‘She started writing drafts of the script and it took eight years to get it made.

‘Back then, the topic of delayed motherhood was newer, more untouched. It was the first time women were talking about how careers delayed their motherhood, and sometimes stopped them from having babies. Questions about getting pregnant at an older age were starting to become more common.’

Directed by Francois Bouvier (Histroies d’hiver), Maman Last Call follows the story of Alice (Sophie Lorain, Les Invasions barbares), a 37-year-old journalist at a daily newspaper with little responsibility other than two mentally challenged teenage friends. Her husband (Patrick Huard, Les Boys, Nez Rouge), is a workaholic radio host. Alice has no intention of shriveling up in the suburbs with dogs and kids. Previously, she had been oblivious to the ticking of her biological clock. When that changes, Alice must make some bold moves.

The film also stars Anne-Marie Cadieux and Stephane Demers. Allen Smith is the DOP, while Jean Becotte is the art director and Monic Ferland designed the costumes.

‘It’s an urban story, so we shot all over town, downtown and in Chinatown,’ says Larouche.

Funding came from Telefilm Canada, SODEC, TVA, Super Ecran, Astral Tele Reseaux and Christal Films Distribution, which will release Maman in February 2005.

Meanwhile, Christal is awaiting financing news for three feature films: Sans elle, to be directed by Jean Beaudin; Cadavres, to be directed by Eric Canuel; and Le Contrat, to be directed by Mario Bolduc. -Joanne Latimer

Lovers in Motion

Montreal: Go Films is midway through a 22-day shoot for the $2.4-million romantic comedy Les Aimants, which wraps April 7. It’s an original story, written and directed by Quebec acting and comedy icon Yves Pelletier (Karmina, K2), who is adored for the absurd humor of his celebrated troupe Rock et Belles Oreilles.

‘The visuals are inspired by Vermeer,’ says Nicole Robert, who produces the film with Gabriel Pelletier at Go. ‘Too bad they just released The Girl with the Pearl Earring, but we have our own, distinct way!’

Les Aimants is about an idealistic young girl, Julie (Isabelle Blais, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Les Invasions barbares), who lives with her unfaithful sister Jeanne (Sylvie Moreau, Post Mortem) and her sister’s fiance (David Savard). Because Jeanne and her fiance work different hours, they communicate via notes stuck on the refrigerator. Julie sets out to fix the lovebirds’ failing relationship by interfering with the notes. Madness and confusion ensue.

‘It’s a date movie,’ says Robert. ‘It’s a feel-good film for women, mostly, but the romantic comedy element will appeal to everyone.’

Pierre Jodoin is the DOP, while Jean Becotte is the art director on this French-language film to be distributed by Vivafilm in September. Telefilm Canada, SODEC, TQS and Radio-Nord provided financial backing. JL