The film builds on its success in Quebec theaters this fall will is taking cinemas in France by storm. From Wednesday, the new satirical comedy by Denys Arcand will be presented in more than 100 cinemas in France.
The director of “The Decline of the American Empire” and “Barbarian Invasions” traveled to France to promote his new film. On Monday evening, the filmmaker, accompanied by the actor Rémy Girard, the actresses Sophie Lorain and Caroline Néron and the producer Denise Robert, took part in a preview evening in the large hall of the Cinéma UGC Normandie on the Champs-Élysées.
The film team repeated the same exercise on Tuesday evening at the Cinéma des Cinéastes, a renowned repertory theater in Paris.
“The film is really well received,” admits Denise Robert, who contacted Le Journal in Paris.
“People are looking forward to seeing Denys again and welcoming him with a new film. We are spoiled. The themes discussed in the film are very universal. It is a reflection of the societies that exist around the world.”
Photo provided by Denise Robert
To date, it is a feature film by Denys Arcand, Les Invasions barbares, that holds the record for the most popular Quebec film at the French box office. Arcand’s classic, which won an Oscar in 2014, attracted more than 1.3 million viewers when it was released in France in 2003.
“Denys is still very well known in France,” remembers Denise Robert. When we were watching the Starmania show a few days ago, several people came to talk to him and told him that they were fans of his films.”
Good feedback
On the eve of its release, Testament received generally positive reviews in the French press. The daily Le Figaro published a laudatory text in its newspaper edition on Tuesday, stressing that the new work by Denys Arcand does “a lot of good” with its way of making fun of our times.
“The Arcand method is the best against political correctness. This is happening in Quebec, that is, everywhere. We’re waiting for the equivalent at home. It is not forbidden to dream,” writes the critic.
“Denys Arcand is back, cheeky and funny,” emphasizes Le Point magazine.
Première magazine, in turn, was seduced by the irony and tenderness of the film about a 70-year-old pensioner (played by Rémy Girard) who is overwhelmed by his times.
“When the situation leads to political complications and existential disagreements, the film has the clever idea of favoring humor and even daring sentimental comedy.” In the end, Arcand questions his own status as a supposed nerd with a good dose of irony and tenderness,” is in read the premiere review.
Testament was released in Quebec on October 5th and is still playing in several cinemas in the province.