The Barbarian Invasions

Seventeen years after Le déclin de lempire américain, the philandering Rémy (Rémy Girard) is dying from cancer in a Montréal hospital. His ex-wife, Louise (Dorothée Berryman), persuades their son, Sébastien (Stéphane Rousseau), to leave his finance job in London and come to his father’s bedside. The tension between the arrogant capitalist Sébastien, who never forgave Rémy for his womanizing ways, and his “sensual socialist” father is palpable — a real confrontation on all the themes that are dear to Rémy, such as society’s grand communal dreams and his aversion to money and individualism.

One of the most acclaimed films ever made in Canada, this was the first Canadian movie to be honoured at both the American and the French Academy Awards. It also one 6 Genies (including Best Film), and two prizes at Cannes, and has since been named one of the ten best Canadian films ever. The movie started with Arcand grappling with his parents’ deaths, but only fell into place when he had the idea to return to the character of the intellectual Remy, from his earlier film.

A full-bodied, funny and gloriously unpretentious ode to family, friendship and the meaning of life… solidly entertaining, sharply written and genuinely touching.

Lisa Nesselson, Variety

Arcand’s intelligent, witty, delicate film is a constant joy and for once the academy got it right — this foreign language film richly deserved its Oscar.

David Stratton, The Australian

A lament for lost ideals, a fantasy of the good death, a rant against the evils of the modern besieged age all at once.

Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail