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Roméo Onze (English title: Romeo Eleven)

Directed by Ivan Grbovic

Screenplay by Sara Mishara and Ivan Grbovic

Canada, 2011

If the past two years are any indication, the face of Québec cinema has changed dramatically. Make no mistake about it, there are still plenty of fine films which feature as their central characters men and women regularly designated as ‘Québécois de souches’ (born and bred Québécois whose ancestral ties to the province go back a generation or two), but if Incendies and Monsieur Lazhar, both of which attained Oscar nominee status in consecutive years, have proved anything, it is that la Belle Province has far more cultural complexity to offer than in decades past, which in turn produces a much wider array of possible stories to share. The trend continues with writer-director Ivan Grbovic’s first feature length picture, Roméo Onze, which explores the trials and tribulations of a handicapped Montreal teen of Lebanese descent.

Who is Rami? Or better yet, who should Rami be? It’s the question he fears to ask himself while the people surrounding him attempt to give the answer. Should he be the accounting major at university his father pushes him to be? Should he be out trying to meet nice young girls to make his mother happy? How about the amiable brother that escorts his sister around town so she can have college life fun away from her more traditional family? Or maybe Rami is simply a physically-disabled young man without a clue as to what his next step will be.

Not wanting to be any of the above, he decides to live out a fantasy online as ‘romeo11’. Through this persona he can delete all those parts of himself that have caused such grief his entire life. By appropriating bits and pieces of the many Ramis the world wishes he could be,...

Although Métropole Films Distribution, a Canadian film distributor, didn't officially release the trailer of Roméo Onze, Reprise Films, a production company, uploaded today a first trailer.

Nonetheless, we know that the story takes place in Montreal. We follow a young man (Ali Ammar) of Lebanese heritage who is in a wheel chair. Despite having a very protective father (Joseph Bou Nassar), the young man tries to follow his path.

The film also stars Sanda Bourenane, Éléonore Millier and May Hilal.

Finally, the date of the theatrical release has yet to be announced.

Yesterday, the Toronto International Film Festival, which will take place between September 8 and 18, unveiled the list of Canadian films that will be screened.

Galas

A Dangerous Method Director: David Cronenberg Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley and Sarah Gadon

Starbuck

Director: Ken Scott

Cast: Patrick Huard, Antoine Bertrand and Patrick Labbé

Take This Waltz Director: Sarah Polley Cast: Seth Rogen, Michelle Williams and Sarah Silverman

Canada First

Marécages Director: Guy Édoin Cast: Pascale Bussières, Luc Picard, Gabriel Maillé and François Papineau

Amy George Directors: Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas Cast: Gabriel del Castillo Mullally, Claudia Dey, Don Kerr and Natasha Allan

Nuit #1 Director: Anne Émond Cast: Catherine de Léan and Dimitri Storoge

The Odds Directors: Simon Davidson Cast: Tyler Johnston, Calum Worthy and Julia Maxwell

The Patron Saints Directors: Melanie Shatzky and Brian M. Cassidy

Roméo Onze Director: Ivan Grbovic Cast: Ali Ammar, Joseph Bou Nassar, Eleonore Millier, May Hilal...

Five Canadian films went to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. However, only three won some awards.

In total, Canada got four awards. The film with the most, which means two, is Martin Donovan's Collaborator. It won the Award of International Film Critics (Fipresci), which is a non-statutory award, and a Best Actor Award thanks to the performance of David Morse (John Adams, Treme).

In the Forum of independents, a group for indie films, Aaron Houston's mockumentary Sunflower Hour won the Independent Camera Award.

Moreover, Ivan Grbovic's Roméo Onze won the Special Mention award. Let's mention that producer Paul Barbeau, Ali Ammar and Joseph Bou Nassar, two actors of the film, went on the stage to take the award.

Finally, the theatrical release of these films in Canada have yet to be announced.

Ivan Grbovic's first feature film, Roméo Onze (formerly De grandes espérances) will have its world premiere at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on July 7.

For the moment, the film's theatrical release hasn't been announced.

Nonetheless, we know that the story takes place in Montreal. We follow a young man (Ali Ammar) of Lebanese heritage who is in a wheel chair. Despite having a very protective father (Joseph Bou Nassar), the young man tries to follow his path.

The film also stars Sanda Bourenane, Éléonore Millier and May Hilal.