CURSED BE THE DAY
68 min, Fiction, Quebec, Canada, 2011Directed byEmmet Walsh
Produced byEmmet Walsh
LanguagesFrench, English
With a visual style reminiscent of both American Film Noir and the French Nouvelle Vague, Cursed be the day introduces in a playful manner to the world of cinema that reflects upon itself.
Press reviews
The feature debut from local filmmaker Emmet Walsh is a free-wheeling pastiche of Nouvelle Vague style in general and early Godard in particular. Malcolm Fraser, Montreal MirrorFilm details
Synopsis
In a timeless world, Raoul enters the city, goes to a cinema and meets Rosa. Together they decide to make a movie. But Bob Daniels, a powerful industrialist, has taken control of the city and is keen on protecting his interests. The Japanese arrive and rearm, the revolutionaries act and videomaniacs are deployed by Daniels to keep people under surveillance. From the city to the countryside, encounter after encounter, the couple will be subjected to monumental decisions that will determine the fate of their relationship and the future of cinema.
Many references both literal and indirect abound with the use of stylistic anecdotes, historical references, and contemporary issues. Cursed be the day plays with the spectator’s expectations and pre-conceived ideas. Through its absurdity and simplicity the message is the medium.
Credits
Script and Direction : Emmet Walsh
Direction of photography : Emmet Walsh
Production : Emmet Walsh
Editing : Emmet Walsh
Sound : Bruno Bélanger, Paul Gauthier, Cristobal Urbina
Music composed and interpreted by : Patrick Watson, Mishka Stein-Robbie Kuster, Marie Davidson
Financial Partners
SODEC
Conseil des Arts et des lettres du Québec
prim
Direction
Emmet Walsh
A native of Montreal, Emmet Walsh began his career working on international productions as a third assistant director (The Mummy 3, George and the Dragon). He has worked as a cinematographer on short films (After the War With Hannelore; Skin-Horse). In 2005, he directed his first short Road To Khan, a docu-drama about musical act King Khan and the Shrines, followed by Last Days of Castro shot in Cuba in 2006. He is a graduate of Concordia University (Film Production) and is currently completing a Master’s in Film at the University of Montreal. Cursed be the Day (2011) is his first feature film.