The film, which opened in Québec before playing at the Cannes Film Festival, played so specifically to a Québec audience that the version that was screened at Cannes and released internationally was edited by 12 minutes scenes involving the role of the Catholic Church in the province and the character played by Québec pop star Mitsou were cut drastically, while appearances by Macha Grenon, Sophie Lorain and Micheline Lanctôt were eliminated entirely. When I thought of using the same characters, that allowed me to write a film with levity and irony.” “I wouldn't want to see a film just about a guy dying. He spent years writing a film about a man with a terminal illness, “But I couldn't come up with a script that would be lively or funny enough,” he said. Les Invasions barbares did not begin as a sequel, but rather as an attempt by Arcand to come to terms with mortality during the illness, and eventual death, of both his parents from cancer. Surrounded by his friends at the cottage they loved so much in their youth, during their touching farewell, Rémy receives the fatal dose. He also strikes a deal with Nathalie (Croze), a heroin addict and the daughter of Rémy’s former lover, Diane (Louise Portal), to provide Rémy with heroin to alleviate his pain. The tension between the arrogant capitalist Sébastien, who never forgave Rémy for his womanizing ways, and his “sensual socialist” father is palpable - a real confrontation on all the themes that are dear to Rémy, such as society's grand communal dreams and his aversion to money and individualism.ĭespite his antipathy towards his father, Sébastien uses his money and influence to secure Rémy a private room on an abandoned floor of the hospital. His ex-wife, Louise (Dorothée Berryman), persuades their son, Sébastien (comedian Stéphane Rousseau, in his first dramatic role), to leave his lucrative finance job in London and come to his father's bedside. Seventeen years after Le déclin de lempire américain, the philandering Rémy ( Rémy Girard) is dying from cancer in a Montréal hospital. It was named one of the Top 10 Canadian films of all time in a poll conducted by the Toronto International Film Festival in 2004. It also collected three César Awards and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, in addition to a host of other international awards. It won multiple Genie and Jutra Awards - including best film, director, screenplay and actress at both galas - as well as prizes for screenplay and actress ( Marie-Josée Croze) at the Cannes Film Festival. "Les Invasions barbares (The Barbarian Invasions) ", Last Edited May 12, 2015, ĭenys Arcand’s sad and funny follow-up to his acclaimed Le déclin de l’empire américain (1986), Les Invasions barbares is one of the most honoured Canadian films of all time. McIntosh, Andrew, and Myriam Fontaine.Article published ApLast Edited May 12, 2015. McIntosh, Andrew, and Myriam Fontaine, "Les Invasions barbares (The Barbarian Invasions) ".McIntosh, A., & Fontaine, M., Les Invasions barbares (The Barbarian Invasions) (2015).The Canadian Encyclopedia,, Historica Canada. "Les Invasions barbares (The Barbarian Invasions) ".