"A propos d'Antoine" is a series of shorts (mostly 20 minutes). We are introduced to a young actress, Julie who has decided to leave her boyfriend in Montreal and take up with a new man, Marc in Quebec City. She has been told he has two children, one of whom is very handicapped. But nonetheless it is overwhelming and she thinks she may have made a mistake. Doing some background research I conclude that it really is based on real life experience. It is mostly a comedy, but one suspects it wasn't so funny at the time. There are a few sobering moments when the viewer wonders how they would care for a severely handicapped child.
We learn that that both Marc and his ex wife Justine feel the other is responsible for Antone's condition, but have not discussed it. Both confided in Julie.
What a family when they gather together which is frequently. Marc's mother, ex wife, two brothers, two children, one of whom, Antoine has an extensive list of disabilities. He can't walk or talk, he is autistic and has epileptic fits. He is almost always smiling and is included in all activities.
The reason behind my title is that Netflix uses "About Antoine" for its promotion, but at first I was unable to find the title at IMDB, but eventually found the original title, "A Propos d'Antoine".
The gang that made this series includes those below.
Daniel Grou was the director. He has 34 credits as director, 2 as producer and 2 for the Art Department including for "Three Pines" (2022), "Transplant" (2022) and "Lupin" (2023).
Cathleen Rouleau was a writer and the leading actor, Julie. She has done many tv. commercials for the Quebec market. Cathleen graduated from the Ecole National de l'Humour. She has performed comedy at festivals n Quebec, Switzerland and Belgium. Cathleen has 4 credits as an actor and 3 as a writer.
Sylvain Parent-Bedard is the producer and matches many of the details of the leading male, Marc. He created the Festival Grand Rire de Quebec. He has produced shows for Madonna and Celine Dion. He has 26 credits as a producer. Also noteworthy, he is a big supporter of charities for epilepsy and autism.
Shawn Pavlin was one of he cinematographers. He has 33 credits for cinematography, 21 for the Camera and Electrical Department and 5 for the Editorial Department including "Mommy" (2014). The other cinematographer was Vincent Biron who has 62 cinematographer credits, 9 as director and 7 as writer.
Claude Legault played Marc, the festival owner. He has 65 acting credits and 10 as a writer.
Antoine Parent-Bedard plays the focal character. Despite his multiple handicaps he always has a smile.
Fanny Mallette plays Justine, Marc's ex wife who is still considered and acts like a member of the family. She won a gold medal in 1989 at Canadian junior judo championships. She has 54 acting credits, 1 for directing and 1 for producing including "The Barbarian Invasion"(2003).
Micheline Bernard played Margot, Marc's mother who lives next door. She has 49 acting credit including "It's Not Me, I Swear!" (2008) and "Matthias and Maxime" (2018).
Sylvain Marcel plays Patrick, a brother and business partner with Marc. He has been successful in television commercials. He has 51 acting credits including "Good Cop, Bon Cop" (2006)
Quebec is an important part of Canada. Quebec City is one of my very favorite places and a nearby vacation spot Ile d'Orleans. http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/07/travels-of-salesman-part-3-quebec.html
Available subtitled on Netflix. If distorted bodies or references to messy bowel movements make you squeamish, well you should watch it anyway--it will do you good.
As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen. They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.
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