SPOTLIGHT FILMS: Gabrielle
By Larry Hudema
On June 24th Spotlight Films will be presenting “Gabrielle”.
The musically gifted but developmentally challenged Gabrielle (Gabrielle Marion-Rivard) lives in a group home with four other adults who have similar disabilities. Like all young women, Gabrielle wants her independence, but of course her situation is exceptional. When she falls in love with a similarly challenged young man, Martin (Alexandre Landry), from her choir, she discovers that both the families and the social workers are alarmed, fearful that because they are “different” they would be challenged by an adult relationship. Then Gabrielle’s beloved and supportive sister confesses that she is going to move to India, and Gabrielle’s world is truly in danger of falling apart. As the choir prepares for an important music festival, and an opportunity to meet Robert Charlebois, a Quebec music icon, Gabrielle does everything she can to gain her independence with a stubborn courage and a real zest for life. Despite having to confront other people’s prejudices and her own limitations she strives to experience a love far from the ordinary.
This film has won a number of awards, including Best Director and Screenplay for Louise Archambault (“Familia” and the documentary “The National Parks Project”), who also co-wrote the film with Valerie Beaugrand-Champagne; Best Motion Picture and Best Actress Leading Role at the Genies; and Best Actor Supporting Role for Landry at the Vancouver Film Critics Awards; Best Direction and Screenplay for Archambault and Best Supporting actress, Melissa Desmoreaux-Poulin (Sophie) at the Jutras.
“Gabrielle” will be shown at 7:30 pm at the Gem Theatre.
Thanks to Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB (Internet Movie Database).
