WHO BY FIRE (COMME LE FEU) World Cinema

WHO BY FIRE (COMME LE FEU)

Screening to be followed by a conversation with director and writer Philippe Lesage and actor Noah Parker.

Philippe Lesage’s eighth feature and latest since his international arthouse hit, GENESIS (AFI FEST 2018), finds him back to his roots exploring messy, complex relationships and the perils of both youthful desire and creative collaboration. Set within the supposed serenity of the deep wilderness, the timid and introverted Jeff, an aspiring filmmaker, accompanies his best friend Max to visit his screenwriter father’s longtime friend and former collaborator, Blake Cadieux, at his secluded home. Jeff is secretly head over heels for Max’s older sister Aliocha, who is also tagging along for her father’s reunion with the celebrated film director. With Cadieux now only making documentaries, tensions soon boil over between the two creative male egos, causing a domino effect of catastrophe for not only their decades-spanning friendship but also for everyone staying at the isolated lodge. With an unsettling tone and immersive visuals, WHO BY FIRE is Lesage’s comeback commentary on artistic partnerships, disingenuous friendships and the effects of seclusion on how we socialize as human beings. Winner of the Grand Prix for Best Film in the Generation 14plus program at the Berlin Film Festival. –Julia Kipnis

Philippe Lesage started out in cinema making documentaries, then transitioned to fiction with THE DEMONS (2015), which earned numerous prizes at festivals after premiering at San Sebastian Film Festival in competition. GENESIS (2018) first bowed at the Locarno Festival and was invited to over 70 festivals.

Linda Venturini
Be For Films
festival@beforfilms.com

MEMBERS & PASSHOLDERS

Screenings

October 24, 8:15 p.m.

Chinese 3

Details

Country: Canada, France

Year: 2024

Director: Philippe Lesage

Screenwriter: Philippe Lesage

Producer: Galilé Marion-Gauvin

Executive Producer: Galilé Marion-Gauvin

Director of Photography: Balthazar Lab

Editor: Mathieu Bouchard-Malo

Production Designer: Geneviève Huot

Costume Designer: Caroline Bodson

Music: Cédric Dind-Lavoie

Cast/Featuring: Noah Parker, Aurelia Arandi-Longpre, Antoine Marchand-Gagnon, Arieh Worthalter, Paul Ahmarani

Running Time (minutes): 155

Language: French

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