Otto, an amateur scientist, studies local wildlife and publishes his work on his web channel with the help of his friend Jean-Marie, an outdated media technician. When young adults arrive at the neighboring campsite and attract more attention than him, Otto loses his bearings. The film is intended to be “an ode to the importance of past generations, their collaboration and their similarities with younger ones”.
“It’s about the backstory of the film. I attach a lot of importance to this reflection in connection with generations, their links and their relationships. When I was a child, I liked listening to the conversations of older people, especially those of my grandparents,” explains the director and screenwriter, Marc Lamontagne.
The transmission of knowledge and the enhancement of life experience are very important to him. However, the artist deplores the division between generations, particularly on social networks. The term “boomer” appears in the title of his feature film and this is not the result of chance. This word is too often used negatively to name people of great value.
“It’s a bit lazy to classify a generation with a word of such heavy meaning. It was running through my head. The film is intergenerational both on screen and in the creative process. The ages worked together to realize this project,” he said.
“The idea of repetition between generations, of the feeling of déjà vu, was essential. We can probably laugh a little at everyone in this film.”
— Marc Lamontagne
Little miracles
In an interview, the filmmaker admits that the project took a long time. He wrote the script towards the end of 2021. At the same time, he followed production training to acquire the useful knowledge to obtain the subsidies required for the continuation of his artistic project.
“Basically, the project took the form of a medium-length film of 30 to 60 minutes. We wanted to make a short film while keeping the option of making a long one. Ultimately, the film is 77 minutes long! All thanks to financial assistance as part of the support program for cultural and heritage projects of the City of Granby,” explains Marc Lamontagne.
The team began filming in the summer of 2023 to complete the editing of the film in the fall. The final details were finalized in the last few days. The director admits that a host of small miracles allowed this production to be brought to fruition.
“The film takes place a lot outside and fortunately the temperatures were good during the filming days. And a large part of the team has a good foundation in improvisation. Their interpretations made it possible to enhance the text and the dialogues,” he proudly mentions.
Behind the camera and post-production, we find Robin Girard in sound editing and Jessika St-Onge, this time co-directing the actors. The independent film is presented by the Flower of Age Films company.
The first screening
(Marc Lamontagne/Flower of the Age films)
Spectators will have the opportunity to exclusively view this film in a historic location, the main room of the Palace de Granby, which was one of the first cinemas in the region. The production team will be there for the presentation and the public will have the opportunity to interact with the artists in the foyer.
“I’m a little feverish, it’s stressful! I try to tell myself that it will be a great experience to share the project with others and project it on the big screen. We think about people’s reception, their opinions. At this stage, there is not much we can do. We have to let go,” says the friendly filmmaker.
You can purchase a ticket here for the screening organized on June 27, 8 p.m.
