series About Antoine The novel, written by Cathleen Rouleau and directed by Podz, triumphed at the 25th La Rochelle Fiction Festival in France on Saturday, winning the prize for best foreign French-language fiction.
This is a great honor for this autofiction inspired by the family life of Antoine Parent-Bédard, the multi-disabled son of the founder of ComediHa! Sylvain Parent-Bédard, who is also Cathleen Rouleau’s husband.
Cathleen Rouleau, Antoine Parent-Bédard and Sylvain Parent-Bédard Photo Joël Lemay / QMI Agency
“We’re rolling around in cotton candy with Antoine, we’re so happy,” Rouleau, along with her partner, told the Journal shortly after learning she had won the award.
She also stressed that this was an important moment for the man she affectionately referred to as a “diva” for his exemplary demeanor on set, despite suffering from autism, intellectual disability and epilepsy
“It is an unexpected achievement for Antoine. He lives his little life and is informed by medical professionals that he won’t walk, won’t talk, and won’t have a job. Well, not only does he have a job, but he also gets rewarded for his work,” she explains.
“It is invaluable for someone who has never enjoyed social recognition and has always been told no in her life,” adds the woman, who also made her debut on the small screen by playing her own demanding role, which she has happily fulfilled for eight years in real life, that of Antoine’s mother-in-law.
Express the difference
For the author it is also a great sign of hope, which also touches her very much, because by crossing boundaries, the series makes it possible to “talk about differences all over the world”.
“For families living with a child with a disability or multiple disabilities, what we experience is very important because we tell the world that anything is possible.”
“We really hope he breaks down barriers while opening doors for people like him,” she added.
Sylvain Parent-Bédard also says he has received countless messages of hope from people who have watched the series and who are experiencing a similar situation around them.
Go to Gemini
About Antoine also receives seven nominations for the 38th Prix Gémeaux, taking place in Montreal on Sunday, including Best Supporting Role: Comedy or Dramatic Comedy for the young Antoine Parent-Bédard, who plays his own role in the series Comedy or Drama” and the potential Gemini Audience Award.
Cathleen Rouleau was rehearsing on stage for an awards ceremony she will be giving during the gala when her partner learned that the series had just won the prestigious award.
“When I received the text message, I interrupted her by shouting that she had just won the prize and she started crying on stage,” Sylvain Parent-Bédard concluded with a laugh.