Christian Quesnel suspected so Dédehis documentary comic strip about the life of André Fortin, which appears this Monday, would arouse interest, but there “it’s pretty crazy,” admits the cartoonist.
“Here we realize that André Fortin is still so popular today.”
It is undeniable that the tragic death of Colocs’ soul on May 8, 2000 left a gaping hole in the hearts of his admirers, one of whom, however, was not Christian Quesnel.
The man who has become known in recent years for his documentary work on René Lévesque, Suicide in Quebec and Mégantic, prefers heavy metal. Although he respected the quality and value of Colocs’ music, he was no amateur.
However, when Lise Raymond, the group’s former press secretary, gave him the idea of immersing himself in the world of Dédé, he saw an opportunity to go beyond the public persona.
“I knew him as an icon like everyone else. The way Lise talked to me about him as a person, I think everyone would have liked to get to know him.”
Christian Quesnel, author of the comic strip “Dédé”. Photo by Julia Marois, provided by Communications Lise Raymond
Contradictions
Using the testimonies of friends, a former member of the group and his girlfriends, combined with excerpts from the writings of André Fortin, Christian Quesnel traces the major moments in his character’s life and career, from his childhood to his suicide, during he probes into his tormented soul.
He discovered a funny and generous man. “It’s something we don’t remember enough about. I tried to show it.”
He also mentions that André Fortin was a contradictory being, torn between his sensitivity and his origins as the son of a large family from Lac-Saint-Jean, who did not flaunt his flaws, especially with regard to his mental health should.
“Selanie [une de ses blondes] told me that he had antidepressants, but he threw them away and said: It’s not for me, I’m not weak.
“Everything is documented”
People close to Dédé refused to speak to the author. In this context, Christian Quesnel admits that he fears reactions and for this reason speaks mainly about Dédé in his work.
“No one can contradict this, everything is documented,” says the author, making sure not to condemn the people who have chosen to remain silent. “They have their reasons.”
In addition, Christian Quesnel says that he leaves this project with a different look at the one he calls André and not Dédé, highlighting the difference between the man and the artist.
“I can say that I feel affection for the side of him that was always willing to help others and compassion for everything he went through.”
“I studied him so closely,” says Mr. Quesnel, “and I do everything I can to get a panoramic view of the figure.” At some point I was so close to the figure who was playing the Colocs music , that we could hear André’s voice, and oops, it sounded familiar. It’s a strange feeling that I’ve never experienced before.”
- The launch will take place on November 22, 2023 at the Librairie Laliberté in Quebec in the form of 5 to 7.