The eagerly awaited debut feature film of Marianne Metivier, titled "The Splendour of Life" or "Une splendeur de vivre" in its original French, is poised to embark on its principal photography journey, traversing the beautiful landscapes of Canada and the Philippines. This announcement was made by the producers at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, igniting excitement among film enthusiasts worldwide.
The star-studded cast boasts a diverse array of talents, including Camille Rutherford, who graced our screens in "Anatomy of a Fall", Garance Marillier who captivated audiences in "Raw", Sue Prado from "Your Mother's Son", Kyrie Samodio of "Hito" fame, and Amaryllis Tremblay who shone in "Genesis".
In this tale set against a lush countryside backdrop, Marie (played by Rutherford) finds herself questioning the nature of her relationship, while Noée (portrayed by Marillier) mourns the loss of her father. Meanwhile, in the sweltering heat of Montreal, Eva (embodied by Samodio) searches for a sense of stability amidst the chaos, while Jeanne (brought to life by Tremblay) plots her escape from the familiar.
Metivier, a Canadian-Filipino filmmaker, has already garnered praise for her short film "She Who Wears the Rain", which was honored with a selection in the Berlinale Short Film Competition in 2020. With "The Splendour of Life", she promises to take us on a journey that explores the complexities of human relationships and the quest for personal fulfillment amidst the beauty and challenges of life.
Geneviève Gosselin-G., representing Canada's Le Foyer Films, renowned for its production of "Richelieu" (screened at Tribeca and Karlovy Vary in 2023), has forged a partnership with Alexa Rivero of France's Altamar Films (winner of Venice 2021 for "The Great Movement") and Wilfredo Manalang of Fusee Media in the Philippines (recipient of Cannes 2022's accolade for "Plan 75"). Together, they embark on a production journey as producers.
Backed by Telefilm Canada, the Film Development Council of the Philippines' ICOF grant, SODEC Quebec, and CALQ (Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec), the film was also selected for the Torino Feature Lab in 2023. Filming begins this August in Montreal, culminating in the Philippines in November.
Metivier, a Canadian-Filipina, expresses her excitement to reconnect with her roots by filming in the Philippines, stating, "My mixed cultural identity has always drawn me to stories of displacement and belonging. It's a privilege to bring this narrative to life on the big screen."
Gosselin-G. adds, "With this debut feature, our aspiration is to establish Marianne as a captivating new voice that resonates both locally and internationally."
Rivero enthuses, "The incredible talent assembled for Marianne, the international cast, and the overwhelmingly positive initial feedback from the industry give us unwavering confidence in the film's ability to traverse borders and captivate audiences worldwide."
Manalang concurs, "The script delves deeply into the diaspora of Filipino culture, spotlighting the enduring challenges and complexities that arise from being separated from one's family and homeland. This narrative serves as a crucial voice that deserves to be heard globally, and we are thrilled to be a part of Marianne's journey."
