Spring 2009 Quebec Cinema Festival - "Congorama" (2006)
The Center for Canadian Studies presents:
2009 Québec Cinema Festival
We are pleased to offer this film in association with the Duke Film/Video/Digital Program's Spring 2009 Screen/Society film series. With special thanks to Hank Okazaki for his continued support on our behalf!
Congorama (2006) written and directed by Philippe Falardeau.
Blood diamonds, world expos, electric cars, long-lost fathers and emus. Such is the stuff of the unlikely world of surefire crowd-pleaser Congorama. Michel, an underachieving inventor trading on the name of his famous and ailing father, leads a life of unremitting frustration. So when said father reveals to Michel that he is not Belgian, but is instead an adopted Canadian, Michel finally uses one of his well-intentioned yet ultimately pointless inventions as cover for a quest to find his biological family. Ostensibly trying to sell cable deicers to the government of Québec, Michel lights in the rural hamlet of Saint-Cécile, where a series of chance encounters will change his fortunes forever. Director Philippe Falardeau’s second feature playfully interweaves the implausible with the poignant to produce a uniquely satisfying wry comedy. Unlike other films that use intersecting, engineered narratives to offer pedantic views of politics or culture, Congorama uses the form towards a richer aim—humor—with tongue planted firmly in cheek.
Shown at Film Festivals in Cannes, San Francisco, Seattle, Palm Springs, Toronto, etc.
Winner of 5 Jutra Awards and a Canadian Genie Award.