J.A. Martin, photographe

J.A. Martin, photographe (1977). This NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA film was shot by cameraman Pierre Mignot and directed by Jean BEAUDIN. J.A. Martin (Marcel Sabourin), a country photographer in 19th-century rural Québec, covers the usual events of family life - the births, marriages and the group portraits - etching them for all time on little pieces of mirrored glass. Once a year, he packs his apparatus into a rickety wagon and heads down the narrow country paths to his more remote customers. Even though the trip is extremely difficult, it represents an annual escape from his wife and large family. This year, however, his strong-willed wife (Monique MERCURE) makes a courageous decision to leave her 5 children at home and accompany him. In 19th-century rural Québec, such a thing was scandalous. Their saga is both scenic and emotional, for the trip pulls them together and helps them revive their stale 15-year-old marriage.

This marvellously observed, beautifully photographed, slow-paced film - one of the best feature films ever produced by the National Film Board of Canada - has little plot but many rewarding interludes and extraordinary performances from the two leads, especially Mercure, who is alive, fiery and sympathetic. She shared the best actress award at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival, where the film was Canada's official entry. It also won Canadian Film Awards for feature film, director, actress (Mercure), cinematography, editing, art direction and overall sound.

Author WYNDHAM WISE

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