Young filmmaker makes waves
This year may have marked filmmaker Chloé Robichaud’s third trip to the Festival de Cannes, but it was the first time one of her short films was competing for a Palme d’Or.
“It was just amazing,” says Robichaud of her most recent trip to Cannes. “It was a dream come true.”
Robichaud’s film, Chef de Meute (Herd Leader) was one of only 10 short films in the festival’s official selection of short films, chosen from among 4,500 films submitted to the selection committee.
In the end, Robichaud’s film did not win the Palme d’Or – Short Film. The jury awarded the prize to Turkish director L. Rezan Yesilba for his film Sesssiz-Be Deng (Silent). Although she was disappointed, Robichaud says she realized fairly quickly she still had a lot to be thankful for.
“Just to be there was a prize in itself, because it’s going to change my career. It’s already changing my life,” she says. “I was sad for a few minutes, but after I thought to myself … I’m one of 10 filmmakers nominated for a Palme d’Or and I’m only 24 years old, so I need to be happy. And I am happy.”
Robichaud’s film, starring Eve Duranceau, tells the light-hearted but poignant story of a solitary young woman who inherits her aunt’s dog when her aunt dies suddenly. In the process of training the dog, the woman learns some truths about herself and her relationships with the people who surround her.
The story, which Robichaud says she wrote in about a day, is based loosely around the director’s own brief experience as a dog owner. In fact, the canine star of the film is Robichaud’s former pet, Jackie. “I had to go through the same process, to learn to be the leader,” she says. “And in my relationship with my dog, I thought okay, I think there’s a story there … Of course, it’s exaggerated!”
After waiting in vain for some time to see if any of her grant applications had come through, Robichaud decided to go ahead and make the film using her credit card. “I had a really generous team,” says the director. “Everyone worked for free. If not, it would have cost too much.” The 13-minute film ended up costing $2,300.
At Cannes, Robichaud met with dozens of TV executives and festival representatives who showed an interest in the film. “I think the film is going to have a great career,” she says. “It’s a film that can be liked by critics, but also by the public, because it’s a funny film.”
A graduate of the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema in 2010, Robichaud credits Concordia with allowing her to find her own original approach to filmmaking.
“What I love about Concordia is that you have the freedom to express yourself the way you want to express yourself,” she says. “I didn’t feel I was being judged for anything. If you want to try something, they let you try it. You can really do whatever you want. When you first try to do cinema, it’s important.”
Moi Non Plus (Me Neither), a short film Robichaud wrote and directed as her third-year film project at Concordia, was selected for screening in the Short Film Corner at Cannes in 2010. Though she had created other films in the past, including a documentary on her high school basketball team, Robichaud says directing Moi Non Plus was her first big step toward becoming a filmmaker. “What I learned from the shooting, I’ll keep forever.”
The following year, another short film Robichaud wrote and directed, entitled Nature Morte (Still Life) was selected for screening at Cannes as part of a showcase of Quebec short films.
In August, Robichaud will begin directing a feature-length film, entitled Sarah préfère la course (Sarah Runs). The producer is Fanny-Laure Malo, who studied with Robichaud at Concordia and afterward at l’Institut national de l’image et du son (l’INIS). Malo produced Moi Non Plus and Maternel, the film Robichaud wrote and directed during her studies at l’INIS.
Producing Maternel cemented Malo's working relationship with Robichaud. “It confirmed that she was a wonderful director to work with,” Malo says. “She is full of respect and kindness towards her team, she has a strong directing eye, and her love for her work is contagious.”
Casting for Sarah préfère la course, starring Sophie Desmarais, is complete, and the filmmaking duo are now waiting to hear back from granting agencies about funding.
“We should have the answer in a few weeks, but I have to be optimistic after what happened with Cannes, I think it’s going to help,” Robichaud says. Seville Films, which distributed both Incendies and Monsieur Lazar has already agreed to distribute the film.
Needless to say, Robichaud is eager to begin filming. “I can’t wait. I feel ready for it. I’m ready for the next step.”
Watch the Chef de Meute (Herd Leader) trailer:
Related links:
• Chloé Robichaud
• Concordia's Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema
• Cannes Film Festival