Despite an already impressive track record for a 26-year-old actor, Théodore Pellerin went relatively unnoticed on the red carpet at the Quebec City Film Festival on Thursday night, but that situation won’t last.
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The filmmaker Sophie Dupuis, who made him her muse after discovering him during the castings for her first feature film Chien de garde, is convinced that the man for whom she wrote a role in Solo, the FCVQ’s opening film , our next is big screen star.
“He’s in a class of his own, Theo. “I don’t think you come across actors like that very often in your career,” says the woman who also directed him in “Souterrain.”
His talent was not only noticed in Quebec. In 2019, he starred alongside Kirsten Dunst in the American series Becoming a God. As Holy Revelation of the Year at the 2018 Iris Awards, he was on the same set as Sigourney Weaver during the filming of Philippe Falardeau’s My Salinger Year. How far can he go?
“I think about it sometimes,” replies Sophie Dupuis. He’ll say he doesn’t necessarily believe in it, but I saw the last Joker and told myself that Theo would be able to play roles like that one day. »
A worker
What makes it different from the others? Hard work, says the filmmaker.
“He can do everything, but he works a lot. That is his strength. If you give him a project, he will work hard. He researches for months and works very, very hard,” emphasizes Sophie Dupuis, who believes that still too few Quebecers are aware of the presence of this diamond in the rough in our cinematography.
“He tours everywhere and is slowly making a name for himself in the United States and Europe, but it’s true that there are still Quebecers who don’t know him. I can’t wait for him to become more popular and for the public to embrace this talent, this star. »
Moment of liberation
The main character returns the compliments to the director. “My relationship with Sophie is fundamental to me as an actress. She is very important. “Watchdog” was a moment of liberation for me,” admits Théodore Pellerin.
He praises Sophie Dupuis’ collaborative approach, which focused on improvisation with her actors before filming began.
“Nobody gives me that space, nobody films me like she does. It’s very rare to be on set and be so in love and trusting. It is also rare that so much work is done in advance. Many directors are afraid of this, they don’t want to burn scenes before they are shot. Sophie has a process similar to that of theater: we allow ourselves to explore and meet each other. For me it is a very comprehensive process that allows a lot of freedom on set. »
During a mayoral meeting in Quebec, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante paid a surprise visit to the solo film crew on the red carpet of the Quebec City Film Festival.
Meeting between filmmaker Sophie Dupuis and Mayor Valérie Plante, Thursday, in Quebec. Photo Pascal Huot/QMI Agency
“It’s a coincidence because I have an event across the street,” she said, pointing toward director Sophie Dupuis at the Capitol.
“I can’t wait to see the film. Congratulations! “I’ve been following what you’re doing for a long time and it’s really inspiring,” praised Ms. Plante, who warmly welcomed all the actors in “Solo.”