Canada
2024 94 mins
OV French
Subtitles : English
Set in the 1950s, when the Catholic Church ruled over Quebec with an iron fist, a rowdy group of kids goes to war against the church. Michel (Rémi Brideau), a 12-year-old boy suffering from polio, occupies his free time learning a trade in a small library and printing shop. Their next projet is ABABOUINÉ, a dictionary of imaginary word, written by the boy's schoolteacher. The group attracts attention from the clergy when their new pamphlet hits the shelves—a document calling for the separation of church and state. The clergy's response is swift and ruthless but they soon find they are no match for the people they mean to oppress.
André Forcier, recipient of the Denis Héroux award at this year's edition of the festival, proves with his 17th feature that he remains a master of his craft. One of Quebec's most prolific filmmakers, his work has shaped and defined the cinematic landscape since the early ’70s with films like L’EAU CHAUDE L'EAU FRETTE, AU CLAIR DE LA LUNE and LE VENT DU WYOMING. In ABABOUINÉ, he revisits a dark period of Quebec's history through his own unique lens, often shocking yet undeniably and absurdly funny. Starring Rémy Girard, Gaston Lepage, Pascale Montpetit, Éric Bruneau, and Mylène Mackay, the film brings together an incredible cast of some of the province's most established actors. With a deft hand, Forcier navigates through the historical abuses of the church and the hope of a society on the brink of change—with sensitivity, humour, and quite literally, a lot of heart. – Tania Morissette