In 2012, they played twin sisters appearances. A beautiful friendship grew out of it. Geneviève Brouillette and Myriam LeBlanc are still nurtured by that shared passion for the game. Meeting between two great accomplices living happily side by side in the Eastern Townships…
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Myriam: Geneviève, given your 34 years of experience, would you say that we chose a difficult job?
Genevieve: It’s not easy, but like everything in life, there’s a lot of letting go. We have chosen a profession that reminds us daily of the lack of control. It’s hard to say no 98% of the time. We always have to keep in mind that nothing can be taken for granted and that with every new project everything has to be done from scratch.
M: That’s right!
G.: I’ve played in District 31, where we know the success, but after that it seems like it’s easy to forget. Two months after I left the show, people said to me: “Too bad, we don’t see you anywhere anymore…” Even though I was on TV in front of more than a million people every day, it wasn’t enough.
M.: What do you like best about acting?
G.: I’m a gang girl and it’s true that on a project, especially when you’re playing fairly important roles, there is a family that grows, both with the technical team and with the actors. Despite my 34 years of experience, I lack confidence every time I arrive on a set. It’s like it’s the first time in my life that I’ve played.
M.: Do you really feel that way?
G.: Yes! It gets even worse over time… I feel like I’m running out of funds. After years of therapy, I finally understand that this feeling will last, so I’m going to deal with it! (laughs)
Photo: Dominic Gouin
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M.: We decided on a job where the focus was on the image. How do you feel when you watch yourself grow old on screen?
G.: It’s tough! The more time goes by, the more we change, but that has a good side too. I see myself changing physically and sometimes I see details that I can use when playing a character. I still feel young and energetic, but at my age there’s a smart little lady inside me and I see her on screen. (laughs)
M.: As you get older, there are details that you have to bet on when playing. Check out Jamie Lee Curtis, who at 61 just won his first Oscar with an awful look.
G.: Yes! Basically, what annoys me as we get older is the fact that we feel squeezed by our environment, and that is hurtful. On TV it seems that not much happens to women our age. Otherwise, the main character has a 50-year-old woman and everyone around her is more or less 30 years old. What do you want to do with it?
M.: In spite of everything, I have the feeling that you are very relaxed in view of all this.
G.: Yes, the reality of our profession forces me to become smarter. I see my glass half full. I am thankful for the good life I have with Fred, my boyfriend and our dog, Folie. I continue to love myself and be proud of myself even if I work less.
M.: This is how life should be seen!
G.: Yes! I meditate and feel like I have a great letting go in the face of many things. How many times in my career have I thought it was over and shit! I got an unexpected call and started working on a great project. Life is full of surprises.
Photo: Dominic Gouin
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M.: Speaking of surprises, you’ll be reconnecting with the theater soon!
G.: Yes, and I can’t wait. It’s been about 14 years since I’ve made one. I’m going to play in À la folie in Cowansville with Francine Ruel, Guy Richer and Marilou Morin. We did a few rehearsals and have been having so much fun already! It’s also close to my cabin so I know it’s going to be a great summer. And I’m also writing my first novel. I’ve been working on this for about a year, but I’ve been writing for years. I love that.
M.: Oh, I can’t wait to read this! In the meantime, I’ll see you at the theater this summer.
G.: Now it’s my turn to ask you what you like best about our job.
M.: I think it needs to be renewed every time. When I was younger I was afraid of a predictable life, I didn’t really want to know where I was going. I wanted life to surprise me.
G.: You were served!
M.: (laughs) So much! I think we have to learn to live with this lack in our jobs. Even when I’m working, I always tell myself I have to take advantage of it in case it’s over afterward. When I stop waiting, I finally find peace.
G.: And when you have found this peace, what do you do?
M.: During the pandemic, I said to myself, “It’s possible that I’ll never play again, maybe this will be the end.” Then I wondered what would come next… I looked at my friend (actor Stéphan Allard). , who was in line to fix the gallery or paint the house because he’s very handy with crafts, but nothing on my side. That’s where I decided to learn to sew, and it’s thanks to you. At the beginning of the pandemic you made me a mask and I was so freaked out that you made me sewing instructions. So I threw myself into the project, that’s where I pretty much found my peace.
G.: But you overtook me by a mile! You even make quilts! What would you do today if you had to make a new career choice?
M.: Nothing! These days I love making quilts, but it’s a hobby. When I question myself about a career change, I face a great void. I don’t know what else I could do.
Photo: Bertrand Calmeau / RADI
G.: In 2012 we played “Twin Sisters”. appearances and our friendship grew out of this beautiful project. Stephan and you even bought your cabin near mine.
M.: Yes, and we love it! Remember the time we had dinner at Francis Leclerc’s and you let us walk down a path with a rainbow on our way to your chalet? It was wonderful! There we fell in love with the Eastern Townships. When we found a listed house in your area called La Maison Brouillette, we fell in love. It was a very clear sign that we should settle there.
G.: And we will enjoy it this summer! I’ll come bathe with foil in your beautiful river.
M.: Whenever you want, our swimming activities will start soon!
Myriam has appeared in Le bonheur (TVA+), NOUS (Club illico), Contre-Offre (Crave) and Un gars, une fille (Tou.tv).
In addition to starring in Un gars, une fille, Geneviève also stars in Radio-Canada’s 5e rang this fall, and is in theaters in July in À la folie at Espace Diffusion in Cowansville. We will also see her in the series “The Candidate” this fall.