TV Review: 'Aveux'

First words: congratulations Radio-Canada, the French-language sister-channel of CBC, for striving to make TV series that are on par with English Canadian and American TV series! I've just watched Aveux's season finale (which was aired two days ago) on streaming. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if this gem from playwright Serge Boucher is nominated for most of the awards at the next Prix gémeaux, Quebec's own Emmy Awards.

Aveux is the story of Carl Laplante (Maxime Denommée), a 33 years old man. He ran away from his adoptive family and his friends from La Tuque at 18 years old after a shocking event. Fifteen years later, he lives in Montreal, is married with Brigitte (Catherine Proulx-Lemay), has a new first name (Simon) and hasn't talked to his relatives from La Tuque ever since. Besides, Simon/Carl tries to live in peace because he created a new past for himself.

However, as he was delivering an appliance with his colleague, he finds out that the owner of the house is his former neighbour, Micheline Dubreuil (Marie-Ginette Guay), and also comes across Olivier Dubreuil (Benoît McGinnis), his childhood friend who now lives in Montreal. Besides, as soon as they can, Micheline and Olivier will warn Simon's adoptive parents (Guy Nadon and Danielle Proulx) and sister, Joliane (Évelyne Brochu), about Simon's existence. Why did Simon leave his adoptive family fifteen years ago? Is it because of the death of Jean-Pierre, Micheline's husband?

Before giving you my thoughts about this TV series, I should tell you that I don't want to give away too many details.

Once you have an idea of what made Simon run away from his family and friends from La Tuque, you'll want to watch the next episodes to know what Simon is hiding from us and, above all, his wife, Brigitte. While Aveux might look predictable for some (not to me), scriptwriter Serge Boucher manages to make Aveux extremely addictive by his no-nonsense approach. In fact, after the details about Simon's motives for leaving La Tuque are brought to the surface, one comes to think that Boucher gave us a script where everything makes sense (i.e. how Simon's neighbour actually died). All in all, whether you find it predictable or not, Aveux has the ability to make you shift from one hypothesis (about the meaning of the story) to another until the very end.

In the acting department, everybody is great. As Carl/Simon, a man who fears that his past will catch him up, Maxime Denommée is incredible in both his speaking and silent parts. Besides, he can count on supporting actors who play so well that you forget that they're supporting actors. For that matter, my two thumbs up are given in honour to two young rising stars of Quebec: Steve Laplante, as Luc (Joliane's boyfriend), and Évelyne Brochu, as Joliane (Carl/Simon's adoptive sister). Although you might hate Luc, you just feel that Steve Laplante brings so much subtlety to his character. As for Évelyne Brochu, oh my various gods, she's so gorgeous! Anyway, let's get back to serious stuff: her great talent is appreciable because her dramatic performance never feels overacted.

Finally, for your information, the show will not have a second season, because Boucher planned to make a miniseries. However, this will certainly not be the last adventure of Serge Boucher into the TV industry and I'll sure keep an eye on his next TV series.

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TV News: 'Call Me Fitz' Starts Production

From a press release

E1 Entertainment, Amaze Film + Television and Big Motion Pictures in association with Astral Media’s The Movie Network and Corus Entertainment’s Movie Central announced today that principal photography is underway on the Canadian original television series Call Me Fitz (working title). The series stars actor/director Jason Priestley (The Day of the Triffids, My Name is Earl, Beverly Hills 90210) as the charismatic used car salesman known as Fitz. Created and written by producer/writer Sheri Elwood (Defying Gravity), the 13‐part, half‐hour comedy series is filming an hour outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia in the Annapolis Valley region until mid‐January. The series is scheduled to air on The Movie Network (Eastern Canada) and Movie Central (Western Canada) in 2010.

In Call Me Fitz, Jason Priestley stars as Richard “Fitz” Fitzpatrick, a balls‐out, used car dealer who pushes the boundaries of acceptable behaviour just a few steps too far. After Fitz botches a test drive and puts his latest customer in a coma, he finds himself face‐to‐face with a new salesman on the lot: Larry, a do‐gooder with a heart of gold. If Fitz is a man who lives for the moment, Larry’s his foil, ready to pick up (and re‐furbish) the wreckage Fitz leaves behind. If the “Odd Couple” had substance abuse problems and sold cars, this would be that show.

Larry is played by Ernie Grunwald (King of the Hill, My Name is Earl) who becomes the moral anchor of the Fitzpatrick family. Series’ regulars include Peter MacNeill (Copper, Mayerthorpe), Tracy Dawson (The Gavin Crawford Show), Kathleen Munroe (Durham County), Donavon Stinson (Reaper), Brooke Nevin (I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer), and Gillian Ferrier (Ice Castles). Guest stars, Rachel Blanchard (Flight of the Conchords) and Joanna Cassidy (Six Feet Under) are featured in recurring roles.

Writer, Creator and Executive Producer Sheri Elwood, is joined by Executive Producers Teza Lawrence and Michael Souther, both with Amaze Film + Television (Finn on the Fly, Saint Ralph) and David MacLeod of Big Motion Pictures (October 1970, SeaWolf). Ari Posner (Mental) is Co‐ Executive Producer. Scott Smith (Rollercoaster, Falling Angels) and James Genn (Robson Arms), direct. Laszlo Barna is the President of E1 Television. Suzanne Berger and Tashi Bieler are the Vice Presidents of Production for E1 Entertainment. Larry Gilbert is Vice President of Current Programming for E1 Entertainment.

Production thanks the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund Board who has approved financial participation in the development of the proposed project: Call Me Fitz Online.

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Memo: Short Absence Notice

I haven't regularly posted something on this blog. Indeed, I've got two research projects that are keeping me busy. The first one is about the political ideas of the late Pierre Elliott Trudeau (i.e. his anti-nationalism, his views on federalism and multiculturalism), a former Prime minister of Canada (1968-1979 and 1980-1984), and the second is about the treatment of Canadians of Japanese heritage during the Second World War (1939-1945).

However, if I do have some time (and I'll find some time!), I promise that I'll post something worth your attention. Here are what you should expect: a review of JFK and of the TV series Aveux along with Flashpoint.

Yours friendly,

Anh Khoi

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TV News: On the Season Finale of 'Flashpoint'

From a press release

• Gunman goes to the extreme to save one of hockey’s greatest shrines (the Maple Leafs Garden) from demolition.
• FLASHPOINT's wins six Gemini Awards, including Best Dramatic Series.

Hot on the on the heels of three more Gemini Award wins Saturday night, including Best Dramatic series, Canada’s most-watched original drama series FLASHPOINT wraps its Fall season this Friday, November 20 at 10 p.m. ET on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times). Shot from inside one of hockey’s greatest temples, historic Maple Leaf Gardens comes back to life, guest-starring as “Godwin Coliseum” when the SRU attempts to disarm a highly-trained and passionate sniper who will to do anything to save the famed arena from demolition. With unprecedented access, viewers get a never-before seen look at the bowels of Maple Leaf Gardens, including hidden corridors, the Foster Hewitt Gondola, and the announcer's booth used by former house-announcer Paul Morris, as the SRU tracks down their target in one of the series’ most riveting episodes ever.

In addition to now being Canada’s Best Dramatic Series, FLASHPOINT is also Canada’s most-watched original drama, breaking records in its second blockbuster season. FLASHPOINT averages 1.8 million viewers on CTV, up 38% from last winter (Season 2, Part 1). One of Canada’s Top 20 most-watched programs, FLASHPOINT consistently is the most-watched program in the country on Friday nights, and broke the two million viewer mark (2.006 million) with a series high for its Season 2, Part 2 premiere in September.

"Thirty-one episodes later, FLASHPOINT has set the gold standard for award-winning and popular Canadian television," said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. "FLASHPOINT continues to resonate with viewers because of its unique blend of high-tension action and heart."

In the Fall finale, entitled "Behind the Blue Line" (Friday, November 20 at 10 p.m. ET), the Godwin Coliseum (Maple Leaf Gardens), an arena rich with the memories and dreams of millions of people, is slated for demolition and Darren Kovacs (guest star Shawn Roberts, WILD ROSES) decides to fight back.

As Ed (Hugh Dillon) contains the vast arena, riddled with booby traps and occupied by an active shooter, Parker (Enrico Colantoni) and Jules (Amy Jo Johnson) discover that Darren is doing more than defending a stadium. He’s a Canadian soldier, recently returned from Afghanistan and fighting the guilt of losing his best friend in combat. Sam (David Paetkau), haunted by his own ghosts of a military past, reaches out to Darren. Will the connection between the two men lead to a safe resolution or will Darren turn the tables on the team and gain the upper hand?

One of the most streamed programs on CTV.ca, the Fall finale of FLASHPOINT will be made available on demand Saturday at 9 a.m. ET on the CTV Video Player at CTV.ca following its television broadcast. Viewers can also catch up on previous episodes at CTV.ca and at popular download stores.

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Movie News: Auditions Coming For 'Frisson des collines'

Do you speak French? Do you live in Quebec? Are you between 11 and 13 years old? If you answered yes to all these questions, then here's a piece of information for you.

The agency Casting Lucie Robitaille (De père en flic; Maurice Richard) is looking for boys and girls who are between 11 and 13 years old. Their job will consist in playing the leading characters - who are three kids of a small village - of the upcoming film Frisson des collines. The film's story takes place in 1969 and the three leading characters try to raise hell (in French: faire les quatre cents coups) together. They do this in order to escape from the monotony of life in a village. However, each of the character will try, at the same time, to make a transition toward teenage maturity.

By the way, the film is directed by Richard Roy (The Last Chapter) and the shooting will begin in summer 2010.

Description of the characters:

Frisson (A boy of 12-13 years old): The character - who is also described as a "beautiful" boy - tragically lost his father. Frisson is also a young rebel who has a big mouth and he believes that everything is possible.

Thibeault (A boy of 12-13 years old): Despite being a little bit fat, he's a sympathetic boy. He's unable to be serious most of the time and we learn that he comes from a rough family.

Chantal (A girl between 11 and 13 years old): On the film's web site, the character is described as being "beautiful, extroverted and strong-headed". Besides, the character is also a courageous one.

Where to go for the auditions:

Montreal
When: Saturday, November 21
Where: École Laurier
505 Avenue Laurier Est (in the entrance of the schoolyard)
Time: Between 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM.
Google Maps

Quebec City
When: Sunday, November 29
Where: Hôtel pur
395 Rue de la Couronne (Room ABC at the second floor)
Time: Between 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Google Maps

Additional information: Children who attend to the audition must have parental authorization.

Source: Official web site of the film

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