Page 21 - Film
P. 21
FILM
Image Source: forbes.com








(played by Dolan), and his mother Chantale, played by Anne Dorval. The flm explores the complexities of
the mother and son’s delicate equilibrium between love and hate, contempt and afection, acceptance and
loneliness. The semi-autobiographic flm, which is based on Dolan’s own experiences with homosexuality
and his mother, is also a beautiful and unique depiction of the coming of age story. Exploring art, drugs,
rebellion and the turbulence of youth feels refreshingly visceral and true and is a testament to Dolan’s young
abilities as a flmmaker. Overall as a debut feature, Dolan appears wise beyond his years and able to explore
the actors with an intense, fery, intimacy that you would not expect from such a young director.


Les Amours Imaginaires (Heartbeats, 2010) – made only a year after his debut release, Heartbeats is another
deep exploration of relationships and struggle, this time between two friends. Marie (Monia Chokri) and
Francis (Dolan) become infatuated by the same man, Nicolas (Niels Schneider), and form a love triangle that
inevitable strains their friendship. Dolan never shies away when making flms. He is an emotional purist and
the strengths of the flm lie in its realism and storytelling. The three young actors are vivid and vicious, alive
and exotic and the flm is a rollercoaster of the building and disintegration of friendship. Sex, compassion,
betrayal, heartbreak are all the pieces that make Heartbeats captivating and a rare cinematic experience.
Dolan’s second feature only further cements his place in the industry and his mature blending of realism and
artistic direction is a marvel.


Laurence Anyways (2012) – Dolan’s most mature and breathtaking flm to date. Its depth, journey and
imagery are a treat for anyone to witness. Laurence Anyways is a beautifully crafted flm that follows the
ten year relationship between Laurence Alia (Melvil Poupaud), a male-to-female Transsexual, and Fred Belair
(Suzanne Clement), her vivacious and torn girlfriend. The flm is like nothing you have ever seen. It’s an epic
story of love, change and loss that is also Dolan’s most poetically moving flm. The sweeping, quick and
poetic dialogue is complimented almost perfectly with the passionate cinematography and work of Yves
Belanger. Dolan’s strength as a flmmaker is demonstrated in how he makes such an unusual relationship so
powerfully real, touching and poignant for the audience. The epic two hour and forty minute flm takes you
on an emotional ten year ride, so much so that by the end of the viewing you feel like you’ve always been a
part of Fred and Laurence’s great afair.


One of the most mesmerising elements of Dolan’s flms is his flmmaking style. He combines intense and
visceral realism, bought out astoundingly well through his exceptional actors, and highly stylised and artistic
cinematography. This balance makes for highly entertaining and aesthetically pleasing cinema as well as
deeply developed and complex performances. A few common traits you’ll fnd in Dolan flms are continuous
shots that follow the actor from behind – a technique that is both deeply intrusive and distant at the same
time. Beautiful establishing wide shots are powerfully framed and picturesque. The lively use of thumping
and atmospheric music gives his flms a youthful but damaged and futile spark.


In terms of style and fare, Dolan has really raised the bar and asserted himself into the cinematic world as
someone to watch. At the heart of his flms and storytelling is discovery – discovering sexuality, identity,
desire, lust and need. He is a gifted young man with an eye for intimacy and experience beyond his years.
This is what makes his flms bold and exciting to watch. Dolan is a gem for Canadian cinema. Appearing like image source
thunder with flms that audiences ought to see.



Independent Media Inspiring Minds 21
   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26