dissection of a black comedy and its giant brain in the company of Roy Dupuis [Entrevue]

A few months after making people talk CannesCanadian production Rumours (Rumors)produced by Evan Johnson, Galen Johnson et Guy Maddinwas presented to us at FNC before its theatrical release this Friday, October 18.

The film recounts the sudden journeys during a G7 meeting, while the representatives of the seven richest democracies in the world are abandoned on an estate and curious and disturbing events occur around them.

Through a range of actors made up of Cate Blanchett, Charles Dance, Denis Ménochet et Alicia Vikandernotre Roy Dupuis national shines brightly.

While he was at the festival to promote the film, Horror Quebec had the chance to talk to him.

Horreur Québec: When reading the script, what convinced you to do Rumours ?

Roy Dupuis: I had already worked with Guy Maddin on The Forbidden Room and he gave me probably the best three shooting days of my life with this little film. We shot it in Montreal, the mountains were made of papier-mâché and I pretended to walk through trees. I felt like I was five years old and having fun in my basement. I also know Guy’s work and I love it.

He first sent me the script and after reading it I called him back to tell him I refused. It had been three years since I was in With a beating heart and I was tired of acting out big emotions. For four days the character haunted me, so I called him back and said I would like to do it if it wasn’t too late, because I had already started working on it. It’s the kind of story written like a play. You don’t change a word in this kind of scenario.

HQ: You work there with actors who are as impressive as they are world-renowned. Did any of the five-star actors you play with in this film impress you more?

RD: Of course Cate [Blanchett] is fabulous. We filmed twenty nights all together. It’s a special experience. Even Charles [Dance] had never done that, and he’s done it all in his career. No one wanted to pull the duvet to their side. Cate is generous and talented. Everyone was in their place. Playing with good actors helps you play well. We were all there for the right reasons. I don’t see many actors who would turn down a film like that.

HQ: Of all the themes covered in Rumourswhich one do you consider the most important?

RD: The fact that reality is changing rapidly now, because of artificial intelligence. The further we advance in the film, the less we recognize reality. For me, the big brain is a bit like this transformation of intelligence. It’s difficult to predict the future. Young people no longer know what to study, because we don’t know in what area we will need them. We sometimes like to pretend that we know where we are going, but that is not true.

HQ: Your character who represents Canada is quickly disconnected from this meeting and seems to know how to seduce other countries. Do you have the feeling that Canada seduces others?

RD: This is one of the interpretations that we can make of it. He’s kind of a romantic teenager. Maxime seduces with his characteristics. Yes, you could say that Canada has a seductive aspect. During rehearsals, Guy told us that if Canada was part of the G7, it was because of Pierre-Eliott Trudeau. He had charisma and was an international superstar, but he shone internationally. At the national level, it’s something else.

HQ: We still notice in your filmography that you like auteur cinema and daring roles. Rumours is added to the list.

RD: That’s what speaks to me the most. I have a penchant for art. Art is about going where you’ve never been. I want to be surprised by the scripts I read. I want to come out with another point of view. Often, these scenarios are carried by great artists.

HQ: You have appeared in several genre films. Do you think fantasy and horror can help convey serious messages?

RD: It’s a way of making things easier. Molière always took serious themes to make people laugh. Entertainment, no matter the genre, certainly helps to convey ideas that are too violent to accept.

HQ: It’s quite rare to see a fantastic film selected for the prestigious Croisette. Were you surprised?

RD: Everyone wants to go to Cannes and I expected us to go, but you’re right. The day after the screening, journalists told us that it felt good to laugh in Cannes. I’m not a regular at Cannes, but people were surprised to laugh. It’s a very artistic film, and it’s Guy’s most accessible film.

If you missed the screening of Rumours au FNCknow that the film will be showing from October 18. We advise you to see this clever film joke.

Read our review of Rumours.