The Quebec film opens before its theatrical release planned for early 2024 Frame has already won around fifty awards worldwide.
In recent months, this psychological thriller, made on a very modest budget (around $250,000), has garnered widespread praise abroad. The film, starring David La Haye and DJ and model Ève Salvail, appeared at independent film competitions and festivals around the world, from Los Angeles to Athens, Rome, Paris, Berlin, Hamburg, Austin and Chicago.
David La Haye alone received nine awards for his performance in the film, in which he played a narcissistic and psychopathic photographer. Directors JP Charlebois and Myraï received around ten awards for directing Frame, their first feature film.
“It’s wonderful!” says JP Charlebois on the line about his film’s journey to foreign festivals.
“For a first feature film shot on such a small budget, this was completely unexpected.”
Luckily, Frame won its 50th prize last month in Beirut, Lebanon. JP Charlebois was present to accept the award.
“I’m half Lebanese, half Quebecois, so winning the Best International Feature Film award there was magical. “It really moved me,” he admits.
An unhealthy character
By writing the script for Frame, JP Charlebois and his colleague Myraï wanted to denounce sexual assault and abuse of power in the artistic world. Your film shows a renowned photographer (played by David La Haye) who exhibits toxic behavior towards the models he welcomes into his studio apartment.
“He is an eccentric, self-satisfied, contemptuous, misogynistic and selfish person,” David La Haye insisted in an interview with the Journal last May.
“When they approached me about the role, JP Charlebois and Myraï told me that my character would be the embodiment of male violence through the characteristics of a psychopath. It’s very rare for people to be offered a role like this in Quebec cinema. “It’s certainly the most unhealthy and violent character I’ve had to play in my career.”
Frame is scheduled to hit theaters in Quebec in early 2024. Until then, the film will continue its tour at foreign festivals.