agentorange [Celluloid 04.04.11] movie news scifi gallery



Mars et Avril is a striking new Canadian science fiction film, currently in post-production. The feature film about a future where people are emigrating to Mars is based on the graphic novels of the same name and is written, produced and directed by newcomer Martin Villeneuve who was kind enough to pass along some stills from his film and give us an update on where production's at... and if you're wondering why the film looks so visually interesting, it's because Belgian comic book artist François Schuiten, who has worked on film's such as Golden Compass and Mr. Nobody) is on production design duties.

To get the world of Mars et Avril just right, the film was shot almost entirely on green screen and with a budget of $2 million - a decent size for a Canadian production - Villeneuve was actually able to do the technique justice.

Synopsis:
Mars et Avril takes place in a Montreal of the future when humanity is ready to move to Mars. But, not everyone is ready to go. Jacob Obus, a charismatic and beloved septuagenarian, leader of the anti-cybernetic movement, takes pride in slowing down time. He plays captivating music on instruments inspired by women’s bodies and designed by his friend, Arthur.

It’s when Jacob and Arthur are smitten by Avril, a young and short-winded photographer, that the true nature of the old sex symbol is revealed. After making love for the first time in his life, Jacob is ready to leave for Mars in search of his muse. In the midst of everything arrives Eugène Spaak, inventor, cosmologist and Arthur’s father, who maintains that Mars is only a chimera.

Mars et Avril stars Jacques Languirand, Caroline Dhavernas, Paul Ahmarani and Robert Lepage and is set to be released in September 2012. Quebec produces some top notch films including revenge thriller 7 Days and the utterly brilliant Everything is fine, both distributed by Alliance Vivafilm who, coincidentally, is also distributing Mars et Avril, so we're very much looking forward to seeing more.

The film's producers are Anne-Marie Gélinas, Benoit Beaulieu and writer director Martin Villeneuve. The executive producers are Pierre Even and Marie-Claude Poulin.

Check out three fantastic Images from Martin Villeneuve's Mars et Avril, property of Mars et Avril Inc. © 2011 ‹All rights reserved, after the break.

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