Vincent René-Lortie has been on cloud nine since his film. InvincibleAt the end of January it received an Oscar nomination for best short fiction film. In recent weeks, the young filmmaker from Quebec has had the opportunity to meet the Hollywood elite and even chat with a certain Steven Spielberg…
This “surreal moment” occurred on February 12 when Vincent René-Lortie attended the traditional Oscar nominees dinner at a hotel in Beverly Hills. Several big names in Hollywood cinema were present in the room, including Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, Margot Robbie, Mark Ruffalo, Emma Stone and Steven Spielberg.
“It was impressive,” admits the 30-year-old filmmaker over the phone from Los Angeles.
Even if he was a little intimidated, Vincent René-Lortie didn't just observe the Hollywood fauna. Accompanied by his producer Samuel Caron and sales manager Justine Baillargeon, the Quebec director plucked up the courage to meet the legendary American filmmaker Steven Spielberg.
“I had a nice conversation with him,” he says. He talked to me in particular about the filming he did in Quebec. After the conversation we asked him if we could take a photo with him. He immediately took our phone to take the “selfie” himself! It was a surreal moment! I can say that I have a photo on my phone taken by Steven Spielberg himself!
“I also met Mark Ruffalo. It’s truly a day I’ll remember for a long time!”
PHOTO FROM MOVIE INVINCIBLE FACEBOOK ACCOUNT
A personal story
“Invincible” was selected alongside Wes Anderson’s “The Marvelous Story of Henry Sugar” among five films nominated for the Academy Award for Best Short Fiction this year.
Based on a true story, the film looks back on the last 48 hours in the life of Marc-Antoine Bernier, a 14-year-old boy who is confronted with his crying need for freedom. Vincent René-Lortie was inspired to write the script by the early death of a childhood friend.
“Accompanying the film to screenings makes me realize that there are many viewers who recognize themselves in this story. I see that it is a much more universal film than I initially thought,” he states.
TELESCOPE FILMS
On Sunday evening, Vincent René-Lortie will have the chance to walk the most prestigious red carpet in the world to attend the 96th Academy Awards. He will be able to live this experience as a gang, as approximately fifteen members of his film crew will travel to Los Angeles to attend the ceremony.
“We rented an Airbnb for the whole gang. I get goosebumps just thinking about the times we will have together. Whether we win on Sunday night or not, we will all be together and it will be magical,” he concludes.
The 96th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday evening at 7 p.m.