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A landmark documentary about a politically engaged artist whose voice still resonates on the Quebec campaign trail. Theatrical release of Pauline Julien, intime et politique (Pauline Julien, Intimate and Political) by Pascale Ferland September 21 in Montreal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières.

PRESS RELEASE
30/08/2018

August 30, 2018 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

Pascale Ferland’s highly anticipated feature-length documentary Pauline Julien, intime et politique will open in theatres on September 21, in Montreal (Cinéma Beaubien), Quebec City (Cinéma Le Clap), Sherbrooke (La Maison du Cinéma) and Trois-Rivières (Le Tapis Rouge), one week after its world premiere at the Quebec City Film Festival. The film will then go on to screen in cities throughout Quebec. At a special September 19 red carpet screening of the film at Théâtre Outremont in Montreal, performers from the musical tribute La Renarde, sur les traces de Pauline Julien, produced by Spectra Musique, will be repeating a short presentation they’ll be giving at the film’s world premiere in Quebec City on September 15. Pauline Julien was produced by Colette Loumède and Johanne Bergeron (NFB), in collaboration with Radio-Canada.

This poetic 78-minute feature doc recounts the pivotal moments in the life of Pauline Julien, a major political and artistic figure whose strength, independent spirit and commitment continue to inspire today. With the 2018 Quebec election campaign in full swing, this film takes viewers back to a seminal period in our history to reflect on the evolution of our society, as seen through a feminist prism.

About the film

Pauline Julien would have been 90 years old in 2018. Twenty years after her death, this at times dreamy documentary portrait by Pascale Ferland captures the essence of the iconic Quebec singer—a passionately committed and eternally free spirit. Through her relationship with Pascale Galipeau, daughter of Pauline Julien, the filmmaker gained privileged access to rich archives that tell the artist’s life story. With a meticulous selection of interviews, performances and photos, Pauline Julien, Intimate and Political follows the iconic Quebec singer on a journey through key moments in the province’s history. Produced at the NFB by Johanne Bergeron, with executive producer Colette Loumède.

About the filmmaker

Pascale Ferland studied visual arts at UQAM, where she made several videos, including Dormir ou une allégorie sur le sommeil, which earned an academic award. In 2003, she made her first feature documentary, L’immortalité en fin de compte (Something Like Immortality), and then founded the production company Qui vivra verra films, where she directed L’arbre aux branches coupées (Tree with Severed Branches) in 2005, among other works. That same year, she co-founded Les Films du 3 mars, a distributor of independent films. In 2007, the high quality of her work earned her the Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award. After shooting Adagio pour un gars de bicycle (Adagio for a Biker) in 2008, she made her first fiction feature, Ressac (Riptide) in 2012. She is currently finishing the script for her second fiction feature, Rapace.

This fall, a number of Radio-Canada platforms will be celebrating the talent of Pauline Julien. On September 27, ICI RADIO-CANADA PREMIÈRE will be broadcasting a special episode of Aujourd’hui l’histoire, hosted by Jacques Beauchamp. On September 30 on ICI MUSIQUE, Monique Giroux will be dedicating a special segment of her program, Chants libres à Monique, to this artistic and political icon. A medium-length version of Pauline Julien, intime et politique will be broadcast on Sunday, October 7, at 10:50 p.m. on ICI RADIO-CANADA TÉLÉ and its full-length version will air on Monday, November 5, at 8:30 p.m. on ICI ARTV.

SCREENINGS

World premiere (Saturday, September 15 at 3:30 p.m.)

Auditorium Sandra et Alain Bouchard at the MNBAQ, as part of the Quebec City Film Festival

Red carpet screening (Wednesday, September 19, 7:30 p.m.)

Théâtre Outremont (Ciné-Outremont)

In movie theatres (Friday, September 21)

  • Montreal (Cinéma Beaubien)
  • Quebec City (Cinéma Le Clap)
  • Sherbrooke (La Maison du Cinéma)
  • Trois-Rivières (Le Tapis Rouge)

On the road in Quebec

–30–

Promotional Material

Electronic Press Kit | Images, trailers, synopsis: Pauline Julien, Intimate and Political

Associated Links

Spectra Musique
Radio-Canada
Quebec City Film Festival

Media Relations

  • Lily Robert
    Director, Communications and Public Affairs, NFB
    C.: 514-296-8261
    l.robert@nfb.ca

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