Making of "Mars et Avril" - English subtitled
Documentary directed for ARTV by Bruno Pucella and Renaud Plante, released in 2013. A fascinating behind-the-scene look at Quebec's first true science fiction film, "The Mars & Avril Experience" reveals Martin Villeneuve's incredible and relentlessness journey of fate and creativity. A journey that demonstrates beyond any doubt that the filmmaker was able to transform the financial and logistical constraints of his project into innovative ideas that now shape the very identity of "Mars & Avril," his feature film debut.
Montreal, the future. Elderly jazz musician Jacob Obus (Jacques Languirand) still draws in audiences with his mesmerizing performances, playing instruments based on female models, designed by his much younger partner Arthur (Paul Ahmarani). The latest model, intriguing artist Avril (Caroline Dhavernas), entices both Arthur and the old Obus. In the resulting love triangle, Obus is ultimately victorious. The old musician appears to be in love for the first time in his life. But then Avril is accidentally teleported to Mars, where the first manned mission just happened to land.
"Mars & Avril" was filmed with a low budget, nearly volunteer wages for the visual effects team, and the coup of Canadian actor Robert Lepage's appearance in a starring role. This is so astounding, that director Martin Villeneuve has given a TED talk: "How I made an impossible film."