Imelda The Movie, A Truly Great Experience
Larger-than-life, reckless and eccentric Imelda embarks on a quest to settle old scores before celebrating her 100th birthday. The filmmaker plays her as she feistily expounds on refusing to grow old.
As the Director of Photography for the short film “Imelda,” it was an incredible experience to work alongside the talented Martin Villeneuve and contribute to bringing his grandmother’s story to life on screen. The film, which follows the larger-than-life character of Imelda as she faces a bucket-list of challenges in the years leading up to her 100th birthday, was based on real events and delves into the ties that bind a family together.
One of the most exciting aspects of the production was the opportunity to shoot on location in the actual village where Imelda lived and where the Villeneuve family still has a house. This allowed us to capture the authentic atmosphere and surroundings that were so integral to the story, and it was clear that the cast and crew were all deeply invested in bringing Imelda’s world to life on screen.
In addition to the village location, we also shot in one of the nicest convents in old Quebec City. The convent provided a unique and beautiful setting for some of the film’s key scenes, and the contrast between the two locations helped to create a rich visual tapestry for the film.
Plot Summary
Imelda, a larger-than-life character inspired by the director's own grandmother, is a notary's widow who lives in Gentilly, where she exercises a certain control over her family. With her landmark 100th birthday fast approaching, she's restless, with old scores still to settle before any celebrations can begin. Structured as 12 'chapters' chronicling her late years, Imelda faces a bucket-list of challenges exploring the ties that bind a family together. When that last Exit door must finally be walked through, will Imelda ever be able to leave in peace?
A talented cast of actors
The film featured a talented cast of actors including Martin Villeneuve in the titular role of Imelda, playing the role of his own grandmother. The film also starred Quebec singer Ginette Reno, renowned actor Robert Lepage, Anne-Marie Cadieux, Yves Jacque, Antoine Bertrand and Michel Barrette. This dream cast brought depth and nuance to the story, making it a truly memorable film for audiences. Each actor brought their own unique style and talent to their roles, making for a truly compelling and engaging viewing experience. The casting choices for the film were spot-on, perfectly capturing the spirit and essence of the story and bringing the characters to life in a truly authentic way.
FUN FACTS
This movie about the Villeneuve family is based on real characters and facts. It was partly shot in the small village of Gentilly, Quebec, where Martin Villeneuve and his older brother Denis Villeneuve grew up. The main character of Imelda, played by Martin, is based on their paternal grandmother, and Jean, portrayed by Robert Lepage, was inspired by their father. Lynda Beaulieu interprets their mother Nicole, while Ginette Reno plays Simone, their maternal grandmother. Michel Barrette was cast as their uncle André, and Anne-Marie Cadieux as their aunt Diane. Antoine Bertrand plays their cousin Louis, while Marc-François Blondin portrays their brother Claude.
On October 31st, 2021, once principal photography was wrapped on Les 12 travaux d'Imelda, crew members received a production gift, as tradition warrants. But what can a director offer to a team that followed him so selflessly for 8 years? Each received an object that belonged to Imelda - in reality or in fiction, both of which had served as props during the filming. A symbolic gift, with each being gifted a small part of the character herself, as a memento of a special shared experience.
SPOILER: The song that actress and singer Ginette Reno is performing in this film, "The Fat One," was partly composed by Reno herself in 2018. When Martin Villeneuve approached her for the part of Simone, she had just completed it and sang it to Villeneuve as, in her own words, her "audition for the role." Villeneuve, a huge fan of Ginette Reno since Jean-Claude Lauzon's Leolo, was moved by the song and decided on the spot that it should be heard in Les 12 travaux d'Imelda, because it linked thematically to the movie. When Villeneuve released the so called "audition" on Facebook, it received more than 150 000 views.
SPOILER: Martin Villeneuve - who was performing his own stunts during the car sequence - lost his driver's license while filming. Ironically, Imelda is trying to renew her driver's license in this film. Villeneuve's Art meets Life! But, because the show must always go on, it was Villeneuve's girlfriend, Kika Martinez, who acted as Imelda's body double for the remaining scenes involving the car.
SPOILER: One of Martin Villeneuve's funniest memories of his grandma - and certainly one of the most hilarious moments of this film - is seeing her driving the electric scooter. "This image is straight out of a David Lynch movie!", Villeneuve commented in an interview.
A dedicated team of professionals
The production was entirely done for free, with no one receiving payment for their work. This was a testament to the passion and dedication of everyone involved in the project, and it was truly inspiring to see how everyone rallied around the film and its message. Despite being rejected by the Quebec and Canadian agencies that support film production, we were determined to bring Imelda’s story to the screen.
The hard work and dedication of the entire team paid off, as the film was a huge success. It had a six-week run in theaters in Quebec, and went on to win numerous awards at film festivals. The film’s success was a testament to the power of a good story and the dedication of a talented team.
Working on “Imelda” was an unforgettable experience for me, both as a Director of Photography and as a member of the film’s production team. The film’s message of the importance of family and the power of the human spirit resonated with audiences and it was a privilege to be a part of bringing that message to life on screen.