Jacques

As a cinephile, I must admit that the “filmed portrait” is not a genre that usually captivates me. Too often, these works mistakenly attempt to paint an exhaustive picture of the subject’s life, giving the impression of watching a “filmed Wikipedia page.”

For me, a film resonates when the unique bond between the filmmaker and their subject is woven into the very fabric of the film. And that is precisely what happens with Jacques.

For her first feature film, director Lysandre Leduc-Boudreau pays tribute to the great Jacques Duhoux by revealing, through delicate strokes, the life choices that define him. The film seeks to capture the connection between man, nature, and the inevitable aging process that gradually threatens his ability to sustain this way of life. How does one live alone in the woods at 85? While his achievements, his ecological battles, and the social network that stems from them are briefly mentioned—and could certainly inspire numerous documentaries—the viewer is instead invited to share in the intimacy of a reserved iconoclast, immersed in a timeless northern landscape, magnificently captured by cinematographer Isabelle Stachtchenko.

The serene atmosphere, with an editing pace that mirrors Jacques’ way of life, is punctuated by soothing silences that are truly welcome. This film offers a pause, a quiet meditation through the encounter with a singular being. Enjoy this moment of cinema.

Colette Loumède
Documentary Programmer
Rendez-Vous Québec Cinéma