"I'm more interested in the way a woman sounds." That is the English translation to a line in Mars et Avril | Mars and April. The idea of love being about something different than the typical beauty categories is one of the many intriguing layers to this story.
Those layers include breathing, musical instruments, age, time, music, photography, and of course, love.
The film takes place in Montréal where Earthlings are about to reach Mars. Jacob Obus (Jacques Languirand) can slow down time by playing instruments inspired by women's bodies. Arthur (Paul Ahmarani) designs the instruments.
Photographer Avril (Caroline Dhavernas) uses Arthur to get to meet Jacob, who is much older than her. Jacob and Arthur both fall in love with Avril.
Canadian film review: Far Side of the Moon
This film reminded me of Far Side of the Moon (2003) from Robert Lepage. Arthur physically reminded me of André, one of the "twin" brothers in the film. Lepage's head plays Arthur's father as a hologram in Mars et Avril. Jean Asselin plays the role of the body of Arthur's father.
Beauty is not as simple as society aesthetics: a larger woman is desired for a musical instrument. Avril is a photographer but not necessarily for the physical self.
Avril has trouble breathing but finds breathing easier when she is around Jacob. Jacob is a successful musician who plays songs about love but is a virgin. Arthur wants to be physical with Avril who wants something different from Jacob.
The expedition to Mars is side by side with the primary story but later gets intertwined. There is a lot going on in the film. You can certainly absorb the content with the symbolism or enjoy as is.
Writer/director Martin Villeneuve — yes, younger brother of Denis Villeneuve — also wrote the photo novels for which the film is based. This was Villeneuve's feature debut and still only feature he has done. Languirand, Lepage, and Ahmarani among others were also featured in the photo novels. Marie-Josée Croze portrayed April in the books, but due to a schedule conflict, Dhavernas was cast as April. Turns out Dhavernas and Croze were university roommates with Villeneuve.
Another fun Easter egg: Dhavernas' mother, Michèle Deslauriers, is the Montréal Teleportation Service's voice in the film (and in real life).
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Americans and English Canadians might be surprised how good Dhavernas is at speaking French, but French is her first language.
Every time I think I don't enjoy science fiction, I find exceptions such as Orphan Black and this 2012 film. Your humble narrator was delighted to be in this world and sad when the film ended.
Mars et Avril | Mars and April was nominated for 4 Canadian Screen Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay (Martin Villeneuve); Achievement in Visual Effects; Achievement in Overall Sound; and Achievement in Music.
video credit: YouTube/EmaFilmsQuebec
photo credit: Mars et Avril | Mars and April film
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