45 years after the bodies of Chantal Dupont, 15, and Maurice Marcil, 14, were thrown from Montreal’s Jacques-Cartier Bridge during a double murder that shocked Quebec, a documentary series will delve into this sordid story that Vrai- Platform in 2024.
These sad events date back to July 3, 1979. Gilles Pimparé and Normand Guérin not only committed a dirty double murder that evening, but also raped the young Dupont. They strangled the two teenagers before throwing their bodies down the metal structure, equivalent to a fall of about 50 meters.
The perpetrators of the double murder on the Jacques Cartier Bridge, Normand Guérin and Gilles Pimparé, 1979. Archive photos
In the two-hour episodes of this series entitled “A July 3rd on the Bridge”, director Jean-François Poisson interviews the protagonists of this drama. They try to understand why such actions were committed. Everything is produced by Sphere Media.
It should be noted that Pimparé attempted to obtain his conditional release nine times after being sentenced to life imprisonment. His last attempt in November 2022 failed again. He then sought to obtain escorted excursions or semi-release. The Parole Board of Canada (CLCC) has closed the door for Pimparé to reapply until 2027. The latest news is that his accomplice Normand Guérin received permission to carry out accompanied excursions in February 2017.
In search of our identity through the Montreal Canadiens
Among Vrai’s other new releases next year, we would like to highlight Le CH and its people (title not confirmed), a documentary series in four one-hour episodes.
Montreal Canadiens’ famous number 10, Guy Lafleur, on the ice. Andre Viau / Le Journal de Montreal
Director Frédéric Nassif and journalist Brendan Kelly, with the support of Aetios Productions and Productions Déferlantes, paint a portrait of the evolution of the people of Quebec through their national team, which has produced many heroes over the decades. Several experts will testify, ice hockey fans of course, but also sociologists, historians and politicians.
Offenbach and Corbeau: a duel of rockers
Also worth mentioning is the documentary series “Québec Rock – Offenbach vs. Corbeau”, directed by Félix Rose and produced by Productions Déferlantes. In 1977, defectors from Offenbach founded Corbeau, which provoked a duel with many consequences.
Gerry Boulet performed for the last time with Offenbach at the Colisée de Québec on October 25, 1985. Daniel Mallard / Journal de Quebec
This production focuses on the roots of rock, including Gerry Boulet, Marjo, Johnny Gravel, Roger “Wèzo” Belval, Pierre Harel and Breen LeBoeuf, among others.
Marjo at the Quebec Summer Festival on July 17, 1983. Archive photo
Six more original productions and returns
Vrai will offer six additional new original productions in 2024, namely Disorganized Crime: At the Heart of Juvenile Delinquency, Hot Ones, La rage en d’dans, The Man in the Mirror (title unconfirmed), My Abandoned House and SEXE INC.
The Videotron platform will also host the second season of the series Les matcheuses, Évaporés: Victoria Charlton investigative, Avec pas de plan!, the fourth version of Grands bien-cuits ComediHa!, the docu-reality series with Jeanick Fournier and the series Road program trip deadly.