Mathieu Denis finishes filming Gagne ton ciel
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MAISON 4:3 and the COOP VIDEO of Montreal are pleased to announce that Mathieu Denis (Corbo, Those who make revolutions…) has just finished filming EARN YOUR SKY, his sixth feature film. Production, which began on October 26, took place between Montreal and Morin-Heights for a total of 31 days of filming. Directed by Mathieu Denis from a screenplay co-written with Alexandre Auger and freely inspired by the drama experienced by Montreal engineer of North African origin Chiheb Battikh, EARN YOUR SKY stars Franco-Algerian actor Samir Guesmi, whose second role in Quebec cinema after appearing in A summer like that by Denis Côté. The film is produced by Hany Ouichou for COOP VIDÉO of Montreal and Nadim Cheikhrouha for TANIT FILMS (France),
Synopsis
As he turns 50, Nacer Belkacem dreams of a better life. However, over the years, he has built himself an enviable position in the eyes of all: loving father, happy husband, model employee and respected citizen of his community. But the varnish is cracking. Beneath a seemingly perfect surface, Nacer racked up expenses, made dubious investments and fell into debt up to his neck. On the edge of the abyss, he develops a desperate plan to try to get his head above water. You only have one life to earn your heaven…
The Montreal filmmaker whose work is imbued with questions of identity, history and politics signs with EARN YOUR SKY his sixth feature film after, in particular, the noted Laurentie (2011, Best Film Prize at the Raindance Festival, Grand Prize at the Les Percéides Film and Art Festival and Best Direction Prize at the St. Petersburg Lights Polar Festival), Corbo (2014, 10 nominations for the IRIS Prize, 4 nominations for the Canadian Screen Awards, more than 50 international festivals) or even Those who make revolutions half-heartedly have only dug themselves a grave (2016, Best Canadian Feature Film Award at the Toronto Film Festival; Special Mention, Crystal Bear at the Berlin Film Festival; Best Avant-Garde Film Award at the Buenos Aires Festival; more than 80 international festivals). In addition to his co-screenwriter, Alexandre Auger (Bungalow, The Barbarians of Malbaie), Mathieu Denis has surrounded himself with a seasoned team for this new opus with Sara Mishara (Viking, The Drunk Birds) to the photography direction, Éric Barbeau (My brother’s wife, Watchdog) to the artistic direction and Nicolas Roy (Corbo, Directory of disappeared towns) during assembly.
Produced by Hany Ouichou for COOP Vidéo de Montréal and Nadim Cheikhrouha for Tanit Films, and with the financial participation of SODEC, TÉLÉFILM CANADA, provincial and federal tax credits, EARN YOUR SKY is distributed in Canada by Maison 4:3 and will be released in fall 2025
ABOUT VIDEO CO-OP
Founded in 1977, La Coop Vidéo de Montréal is a unique film production company of its kind. It is a solidarity cooperative and a creation center which aims to act as a catalyst for cinematographic voices. It offers its members lasting and personalized support, enriching their creative and professional development while deepening reflection on auteur cinema.
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