With its 18 nominations, the film is Vikings triumphed without surprise at the 25th edition of the Gala Québec Cinéma, which took place on Sunday evening at the Grandé Studios in Montreal. Stéphane Lafleur's sci-fi comedy won no fewer than 11 Iris Awards, including Best Film.
• Also read: Here are the most beautiful looks from the red carpet of the 25th Gala Québec Cinéma
After topping the Artisans Gala with seven awards last Thursday, Viking added four trophies to his collection during the grand celebration of Quebec cinema, which brought the Noovo airwaves back to life on Sunday night after being dropped by Radio-Canada last year had been.
The Viking Team was named the best film of the year. Photo Vivien Gaumand
Stéphane Lafleur's feature not only won Best Picture, but also won the awards for Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Male Lead (awarded to Steve Laplante).
“I would like to thank the people who take the time to watch our films. Thank you for taking care of our culture,” emphasized Stéphane Lafleur when accepting the award for best screenplay, which he shares with screenwriter Éric K. Boulianne.
Viking's dominance was almost complete, leaving the other finalists little chance. The drama “The Diver” by Francis Leclerc, which was nominated in twelve categories, ultimately had to be content with just one award: the award for best male performance in a supporting role, which went to Charles-Aubey Houde.
In the race for 14 and 8 prizes, respectively, the comedy “Babysitter” by Monia Chokri and the thriller “Arsenault et Fils” by Rafaël Ouellet came away empty-handed.
Photo agency QMI, Mario Beauregard
It was actress and director Charlotte Le Bon who won the Iris for Best First Film for her drama “Falcon Lake.” The feature film also won the award for top grossing film outside Quebec on Thursday. While accepting her award on stage, Charlotte Le Bon gave a moving speech calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.
Solid Jay Du Temple
Elegantly dressed in a School of Thought suit and Tom Ford shirt, Jay Du Temple threw a glamorous gala. Photo provided by Bertrand Exertier
For this new version of the ceremony presented on the airwaves of Noovo, we were promised a redesigned and, above all, more “solemn” formula. Promise kept. In a magnificent and spectacular setting, Jay Du Temple masterfully hosted an entertaining gala punctuated by some moving moments.
In a very effective opening monologue, the comedian underlined with class the importance of our cinema and took the liberty of throwing a few darts at “Radio Canada, which was ahead at the cinema gala, but a 9th season of Silence that we are playing , accepted”.
A Michel Côté Prize
The team behind the film My Mother's Men won the Michel Côté Audience Award. Photo provided by Vivien Gaumand
We experienced a special moment when Maxime Le Flaguais went on stage together with Marc-André Grondin to announce that the Audience Award in honor of his famous father, who died at this age earlier this year, would be renamed the Michel Côté Audience Award was renamed from 72. Michel Côté, a popular actor of the audience, was called the “King of the Box Office” due to his numerous successes on the big screen (CRAZY, From Father to Cop, etc.).
Photo agency QMI, Mario Beauregard
The drama My Mother's Men, the first feature film by director Anik Jean, was given the honor of being awarded the first Michel Côté Prize.
“This is the prize I wanted most,” Anik Jean said on stage. We make films to upset people. Thank you for creating a place for me in Quebec cinema! »
Photo agency QMI, Mario Beauregard
Finally, it should be noted that the Iris tribute was awarded to the actor Rémy Girard, who received a long ovation when he accepted his award on stage. Several personalities, including Michel Charette, Dominique Michel and Denis Villeneuve, praised this essential figure of our cinema in a tribute video broadcast during the ceremony.
THE PRIZE GIVERS
- Best movie
Vikings - Best first film
Falkensee - Best performance
Stéphane Lafleur for Vikings - Best screenplay
Stéphane Lafleur and Éric K. Boulianne for Vikings - Best Actress
Kelly Depeault for Noémie says yes - Best actor
Steve Laplante for Vikings - The best supporting actress
Laurie Babin for The red rooms - Best supporting actor
Charles Aubey Houde for The piston - Revelation of the year
Juliette Gariepy for The red rooms - Best Documentary
Dear Audrey by Jeremiah Hayes - Michel Côté Audience Award
My mother's men - Tribute prize
Remy Girard
The winners
Kelly Depeault
Photo agency QMI, Mario Beauregard
Three years after she was named Revelation of the Year for her role in “The Firefly Goddess,” young actress Kelly Depeault distinguished herself again, this time winning the Iris Prize for Best Actress for her performance in “Noémie Says Yes.” , a powerful drama in which she plays a 15-year-old girl caught in the vicious cycle of youth prostitution.
Juliette Gariépy and Laurie Babin
Photo agency QMI, Mario Beauregard
The two young actresses of the thriller “The Red Rooms” also shone with an award each: Juliette Gariépy was up for revelation of the year with Iris, while Laurie Babin won the award for best female performance in a supporting role.
loser
Luc and Henri Picard
Archive photo, QMI Agency
For the first time in the history of the Gala Québec Cinéma, we witnessed a fight between a father and his son in the Best Actor category. Luc and Henri Picard were nominated for their respective roles in the films “Confessions” and “The Diver”, but had to bow to Steve Laplante (“Viking”).
baby-sitter
Free photo
One of the films with the most nominations (14), the comedy Babysitter by Monia Chokri, ultimately did not win any awards. The actress and director will probably have the opportunity to get back on her feet next year with her new film “Simple comme Sylvain”, one of the big hits of the fall in our cinemas.