Maudite Poutine

  • 91'
  • Canada
  • 2016

Karl Lemieux became known through his experimental shorts (Mamori, IFFR 2010; Quiet Zone, co-directed with David Bryant, IFFR 2015) and his work on live performances with musicians (such as members of Jerusalem In My Heart or Godspeed You! Black Emperor). His first feature is logically rooted in both idioms but with a more straightforward narrative: 27-year-old musician Vincent is targeted by the mob after stealing drugs and goes back to his rural hometown. There he reconnects with his older, tormented brother Michel, trying to lead a normal life by playing in a hardcore band. A spiral of violence will catch both brothers.
Shot on 16mm, Shambles is a loud, almost wordless tribute to punk energy where it always comes from — the working class, boredom, urgency. Its hypnotic intensity is reminiscent of Philippe Grandrieux’s cinema. Stroboscopic effects, distorted shots, hyper-contrast black-and-white and music, of course, translating day-to-day angst into some raw nightmare.

Director
Karl Lemieux
Country of production
Canada
Year
2016
Festival Edition
IFFR 2017
Length
91'
Medium
DCP
International title
Shambles
Language
French
Producer
Sylvain Corbeil / Metafilms
Production Company
Metafilms
Sales
Stray Dogs
Screenplay
Karl Lemieux, Marie-Douce St-Jacques
Cinematography
Mathieu Laverdière
Editor
Marc Boucrot
Production Design
Louisa Schabas
Music
David Bryant, Thierry Amar, Kevin Doria
Cast
Jean-Simon Leduc, Martin Dubreuil, Francis La Haye, Robin Aubert, Marie Brassard, Alexa-Jeanne Dubé
Local Distributor
EYE Film Institute Netherlands
Director
Karl Lemieux
Country of production
Canada
Year
2016
Festival Edition
IFFR 2017
Length
91'
Medium
DCP
International title
Shambles
Language
French
Producer
Sylvain Corbeil / Metafilms
Production Company
Metafilms
Sales
Stray Dogs
Screenplay
Karl Lemieux, Marie-Douce St-Jacques
Cinematography
Mathieu Laverdière
Editor
Marc Boucrot
Production Design
Louisa Schabas
Music
David Bryant, Thierry Amar, Kevin Doria
Cast
Jean-Simon Leduc, Martin Dubreuil, Francis La Haye, Robin Aubert, Marie Brassard, Alexa-Jeanne Dubé
Local Distributor
EYE Film Institute Netherlands