Film Podcast #15: Laurence Anyways

DW Mault reviews Transgender drama Laurence Anyways, by much acclaimed 23 year old director Xavier Dolan.

Québécois writer-director Dolan follows I Killed My Mother (2009) and Heartbeats (2010) with this story about lovers Laurence and Fréderique, played by Melvyn Poupaud and Suzanne Clément. After revealing that he is transsexual, Laurence wishes to dress and be treated as a woman, and partner Fred must come to terms with her complex feelings about this over the next decade.

Winner of Best Canadian Feature Film at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, and the Queer Palm Award at 2012 Cannes Film Festival – where Clément also won the Un Certain Regard Award for Best Actress. But can it be considered ‘Film of the Year’?

Also discussed: two other 2012 releases, Martin McDonagh’s Seven Psychopaths and Oliver Stone’s Savages; clichéd characters; Hollyoaks and James Corden; and, with the news of Cineworld buying Picturehouse in a huge cinema chain takeover, what does this mean for independent films, screenings and distribution?

Hosted by director and cineaste DW Mault with special guest, writer, blogger and musician Amy Roberts. Wednesday 12 December 2012.

Watch the trailer for Laurence Anyways