Oh ! I couldn’t wait to read Marc Laurendeau’s autobiography! I had no doubt that the unique journey of the former cynic turned information wise man would offer me some delicious moments.
Posted at 8:15am
I was not deceived.
From cynical laughter to journalistic stare, this is the story of a man who threw himself into the silent revolution with the fervor of his twenties, only to be transformed a few years later but just as critical of the society he found himself in coming out of for 83 years.
This long journey begins with a sweet and enveloping childhood in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, in a cultured family environment (one of his sisters was the actress Amulette Garneau) and politicized (André Laurendeau was his father’s cousin). Then follow the years of classical studies at the Collège Sainte-Marie, an enriching period of which Marc Laurendeau has wonderful memories.
“We weren’t told that we were tomorrow’s elite,” he writes […] We were taught that social engagement is important. »
One of the interests of this institution was that it was stuck on the Gesù. Here the young man discovers the limelight.
In the late 1950s he enrolled in law at the University of Montreal, where he met many people who would help wake up a Quebec enmeshed in missals and scapulars, notably Denys Arcand and Bernard Landry.
Back then, Marc Laurendeau led a double life. An observant student by day, he succumbs to the world of entertainment by nightfall. He creates an act in which he describes the family rosary as a wrestling match. It’s a monster hit!
PHOTO ANTOINE DESILETS, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
Les Cyniques, consisting of André Dubois, Marcel Saint-Germain, Marc Laurendeau and Serge Grenier, in 1969
Around him graft Marcel Saint-Germain, Serge Grenier and André Dubois, other UdM students. With their personal style, the companions build numbers that make up the first shows. The cynics are born! Like a legend.
Reading this book made me want to listen to the Cynics records again and see certain snippets from shows. I was overwhelmed by the boldness and change of our time. Much of what the cynics said would no longer go public.
The four lucky boys would be accused of racism, homophobia, grossophobia and whatever else.
The Cynics made arrows from any wood. Today, the social consensus contains many more taboos.
Marc Laurendeau
Could this rise in taboos explain the virtual lack of satirical humor aimed at politicians? “I’ve said it many times, you have to be a tightrope walker to be humorous today. On the one hand there are the charters of the rights, on the other hand the cult of the minorities. »
After eleven successful years and with the Cynics at the helm, the four members decided to end this adventure and pursue other paths. For Marc Laurendeau, it will be journalism.
From satire to journalism
I was naturally very curious to read the transition chapters by Marc Laurendeau, a comedian who spent a decade poking fun at clergy, law enforcement, and politicians. “This book is the story of someone who does social satire on stage and who, after writing about these Turkish heads, ends up interviewing them,” he says.
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Marc Laurendeau
One of the highlights of his career remains the discovery of the sixth member of the FLQ’s liberation cell. In fact, Marc Laurendeau made early connections with the couple Jacques Cossette-Trudel and Louise Lanctôt. Thanks to them, he learns about the existence of this mysterious member that no one had ever heard of.
With Marc Laurendeau there is an assumed duality. On the one hand he was interested in the October Crisis and had great admiration for René Lévesque, on the other hand he had an insatiable interest in the royal family of England. “There are many facets to being human,” he adds. He is sensitive to many things. »
A threesome with information
This book, which has benefited from the invaluable help of Pierre Huet, covers a wide range of subjects, each more fascinating than the last. The author and his publisher had the bright idea of interspersing the chapters with portraits of people Laurendeau admired: René Lévesque, Robert Bourassa, Pierre Nadeau, Jean Drapeau and many others.
One can guess that his love of information occupies a significant place in the book. He even speaks of a “menage à trois” with his wife Anne-Marie Dussault, moderator of the show 24/60. “It’s intellectual food. When I discover a current event, it tempts me to read books to dig deeper. I realize the info is a powerful drug to me. »
Journalism has been buried several times in recent years. Not Marc Laurendeau. On the contrary, he firmly believes he is well grounded and has great years ahead of him. He repeated this to the students who were fortunate enough to have had him as their teacher in recent years.
He believes that the more the presence of social networks and misinformation will be felt, the more we need quality journalism. “There are still people in the United States who believe Trump’s election was stolen. When Putin says he is conducting a special military operation in Ukraine, we are not afraid to say that it is genocide and massacres. Fighting what is said on social media is the new vocation of journalists. »
The interview we had was marked by the seriousness to which Marc Laurendeau has accustomed us. But at the end of the conversation, emotions set in. It happened when I asked him what writing this book gave him.
He started by telling me that the writing part was both painful and rewarding. “But it showed me how much I owe to the people around me…”
His voice choked, and there was a long silence at the end of the phone. “Suddenly I think of Anne-Marie and my family, of my sister, of two of my colleagues from Les Cyniques who have since died … Excuse the emotion! »
Then, after gathering himself, he added: “When you write a book like this, you can discover the meaning of your path, the people you have helped and who have also helped you. Finally there is a liberating phenomenon. »
There is also a liberating phenomenon for the public. To see the Québec of the Great Eclipse transformed by young people who had the courage to kick in the doors like hell.
Thank you for that, Mr. Laurendeau!
From cynical laughter to journalistic gaze
Marc Laurendeau
Editions La Presse
319 pages