{{Short description|2012 film by Martin Villeneuve}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Use Canadian English|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox film | name = Mars & Avril | native_name = {{Infobox name module|fr|Mars et Avril}} | image = Mars_et_Avril_Official_poster.jpg | alt = <!-- see WP:ALT --> | caption = Film poster (French) | director = [[Martin Villeneuve]] | producer = {{plainlist| *Martin Villeneuve *[[Robert Lepage]] *[[Anne-Marie Gélinas]] *Benoît Beaulieu }} | writer = Martin Villeneuve | starring = {{plainlist| *[[Jacques Languirand]] *[[Caroline Dhavernas]] *[[Paul Ahmarani]] *Robert Lepage }} | music = [[Benoît Charest]] | cinematography = Benoît Beaulieu | editing = Mathieu Demers | production_companies = {{plainlist| *Mars et Avril Inc. *EMAFilms *Les Productions du 8e Art *Item 7 }} | distributor = [[Alliance Atlantis|Alliance Vivafilm]] {{small|(Canada)}}<br>[[Gaiam]] {{small|(U.S.)}} | released = {{Film date|df=y|2012|7|2|[[Karlovy Vary International Film Festival|KVFF]]|2012|9|15|[[Atlantic Film Festival|AFF]], Canada}} | runtime = 91 minutes | country = Canada | language = French | budget = $2.3 million | gross = }} '''''Mars & Avril''''' (French: '''''Mars et Avril''''') is a 2012 Canadian [[science fiction film]] starring [[Jacques Languirand]], [[Caroline Dhavernas]], [[Paul Ahmarani]] and [[Robert Lepage]]. The movie, based on the photo-novels of the same name published by Sid Lee & la Pastèque,<ref>[https://www.bulbapp.com/u/mars-et-avril-leaps-off-the-pages-of-graphic-novels ''Mars et Avril'' leaps off the pages of graphic novels], article from BULB</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/MarsEtAvril/photos/a.323036404437151/1430073543733426/?type=3&theater ''Mars et Avril'': the precarious jump from Graphic Novel to Cinema], article from UCalgaryBlogs.ca, 8 April 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.quietearth.us/articles/2011/04/04/Exclusive-look-at-Candian-scifi-film-MARS-ET-AVRIL-a-graphic-novel-adaptation Exclusive look at Canadian scifi film MARS ET AVRIL a graphic novel adaptation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610205015/http://www.quietearth.us/articles/2011/04/04/Exclusive-look-at-Candian-scifi-film-MARS-ET-AVRIL-a-graphic-novel-adaptation |date=10 June 2023 }}, article from Quiet Earth, 4 April 2011</ref><ref>[https://vimeo.com/318535782 Martin Villeneuve – Graphic Novels Interviews (2002-2004)] on Vimeo</ref> is written, produced and directed by [[Martin Villeneuve]].<ref name="futuremontreal">[https://globalnews.ca/news/170313/denis-villeneuves-brother-martin-imagines-future-montreal-with-mars-et-avril/ Denis Villeneuve's brother Martin imagines future Montreal with 'Mars et Avril'], article from ''[[Canadian Press]]'', 26 October 2011</ref>
The film was shot on a budget of C$2.3 million and featured numerous green screen effects. [[Franco-Belgian comics|Belgian]] [[comic book artist]] [[François Schuiten]] is the production designer, former [[Industrial Light & Magic|ILM]] Senior Compositor Carlos Monzon worked as VFX supervisor, and [[Benoît Charest]] composed the original score.<ref name="variety">[https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/mars-and-april-1117947906/ ''Mars and April'' // ''Mars & Avril''], review from ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', 16 July 2012</ref> The film was financed by Telefilm Canada, SODEC, Les Productions du 8e Art and the Harold Greenberg Fund, and is distributed in Canada by [[Alliance Atlantis|Alliance Vivafilm]] (now owned by [[Entertainment One|eOne]]) and in the United States by [[Gaiam]]. The official trailer was released in Quebec theatres and on Alliance Vivafilm's YouTube channel on 21 December 2011.
The world premiere took place on 2 July 2012 at the 47th [[Karlovy Vary International Film Festival]], [[Czech Republic]] (the film was selected in the section "Another View" for its unique artistic approach in both form and content).<ref name="worldpremiere">[http://www.quietearth.us/articles/2012/06/Stunning-Canadian-scifi-flick-MARS-ET-AVRIL-premiering-at-Karlovy-Vary Stunning Canadian sci-fi flick MARS ET AVRIL premiering at Karlovy Vary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610205014/http://www.quietearth.us/articles/2012/06/Stunning-Canadian-scifi-flick-MARS-ET-AVRIL-premiering-at-Karlovy-Vary |date=10 June 2023 }}, article from Quiet Earth, 16 June 2012</ref> Since then, the film has been screened in twenty other major cinema events around the globe and has received 10 nominations.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1638277/awards?ref_=tt_awd ''Mars et Avril'' Awards & Nominations page on IMDb]</ref> Martin Villeneuve was nominated for "Best Adapted Screenplay" at the 2013 [[Canadian Screen Awards]], and he also won an "Imaging the Future Award" at the [[Neuchâtel International Fantasy Film Festival]] in Switzerland. In addition, Villeneuve gave a TED Talk about his film at [[TED (conference)|TED2013]] in Long Beach, [[California]].<ref name="TED">[https://www.ted.com/talks/martin_villeneuve_how_i_made_an_impossible_film "Martin Villeneuve: How I made an impossible film"], TED, 7 June 2013</ref>
==Synopsis== In [[Montréal]], in the near future, humanity is about to set foot on [[Mars]]. Jacob Obus ([[Jacques Languirand]]), a charismatic musician, takes pride in slowing down time by playing instruments inspired by women's bodies, designed by his friend, Arthur ([[Paul Ahmarani]]). A love triangle develops when Jacob and Arthur both fall in love with Avril ([[Caroline Dhavernas]]), a young photographer. Enter Eugène Spaak ([[Robert Lepage]]), inventor, cosmologist and Arthur's father, who unveils a new theory about man's desire to reach Mars and helps Jacob find the true meaning of life and love.
[[File:Jacques Languirand.jpg|thumb|[[Jacques Languirand]]]]
==Cast== [[File:Caroline Dhavernas (14769472041).jpg|thumb|[[Caroline Dhavernas]]]] {{Castlist| * [[Jacques Languirand]] as Jacob Obus * [[Caroline Dhavernas]] as Avril * [[Paul Ahmarani]] as Arthur * [[Robert Lepage]] as Eugène Spaak (head) * Jean Asselin as Eugène Spaak (body) / Serveur automate * [[Stéphane Demers]] as Bernard Brel * Jean Marchand as the Pneumatologist * Kathleen Fortin as Modèle d'Arthur * [[Marcel Sabourin]] as Capucin * André Montmorency as Pierrot * [[Gabriel Gascon]] as Arlequin * [[Emanuel Hoss-Desmarais]] as Marsonaute #1 * Pierre Leblanc as Marsonaute #2 * Richard Robitaille as Marsonaute #3 * Khanh Hua as Robot Bartender * [[Michèle Deslauriers]] as Operator (voice) * Denis Gravereaux as Cosmologist #1 * Charles Papasoff as Cosmologist #2 * Émilie Blake as the Pneumatologist's Secretary }}
==Production== ===Development=== In 2005, [[Robert Lepage]] optioned the rights to [[Martin Villeneuve]]'s ''Mars et Avril'' photo novels through his Quebec city-based motion picture company, Films Ex æquo (who had already produced ''[[Far Side of the Moon (film)|The Far Side of the Moon]]'' in 2003), with the intent of adapting them into a science fiction feature film. While Villeneuve was to write the script, Lepage was attached to the project as producer and as an actor.<ref>[https://www.ledevoir.com/culture/actualites-culturelles/120572/du-papier-glace-au-grand-ecran Du papier glacé au grand écran], article from ''Le Devoir'', 17 October 2006</ref> A year later, Lepage shut down Films Ex æquo.<ref>[https://www.ledevoir.com/culture/cinema/113218/cinema-robert-lepage-ferme-sa-boite-de-production-ex-aequo Robert Lepage ferme sa boîte de production Ex aequo], article from ''Le Devoir'', 8 July 2006</ref> Nevertheless, he strongly encouraged Villeneuve to produce and direct the film himself.<ref>[https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2012/10/03/amour-et-science-fiction Amour et science-fiction], article from ''Le Journal de Montréal'', 6 October 2012</ref> Villeneuve took over the project, while Lepage remained involved as an actor and creative producer.<ref name="futuremontreal"/>
In 2008, SODEC, Telefilm Canada, The Harold Greenberg Fund and Alliance Vivafilm decided to finance the production.
Due to the film's significant amount of visual effects, an extensive year of pre-production was necessary. In pre-production, Schuiten made some sketches of the sets and, in post-production, he oversaw the visual coherence of the whole film while acting as art direction consultant.<ref>[http://www.ztele.com/cinema/mars-et-avril-entrevue-exclusive-avec-martin-villeneuve-1.1078163 Entrevue exclusive avec Martin Villeneuve], Z-télé, 11 October 2012</ref> Since the film was to be shot almost entirely on green screen, in only 25 days and on a very tight budget of C$2.3 million, preparation was key to making it work. The 1200 shots were hand-drawn as [[storyboards]] and then edited with the dialogues in a detailed, two-hour-long [[Storyboard#Animatics|animatic]] that mapped out every detail before shooting.<ref>[http://www.efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=3471 Whistler Film Festival 2012 Interview - ''Mars & Avril'' director Martin Villeneuve], eFilmCritic.com, 1 December 2012</ref> Villeneuve went to [[Brussels]] in May 2008 to work with Schuiten, then Schuiten came to [[Montreal]] twice to follow up: in September 2008 and December 2011. Throughout filming and post-production, the two men touched base as often as they could through [[Skype]].<ref name="watchmaker">[https://www.bulbapp.com/b/unit/528d21abe4b044ec67e2290e François Schuiten: The Watchmaker of Dreams], Martin Villeneuve's BULB page, 2 December 2013</ref> A [[brainstorming]] session between Villeneuve and Schuiten is available as the audio commentary on the DVD.<ref name="DVD">[https://www.amazon.ca/Mars-Avril-Jacques-Languirand/dp/B00AWDXCRS ''Mars et Avril'' DVD on Amazon Canada], 19 March 2013</ref>
===Design=== In 2007, Villeneuve contacted famed Belgian comic book artist [[François Schuiten]], who accepted the position of production designer.<ref name="montrealdemain">[https://www.lapresse.ca/cinema/nouvelles/201207/17/01-4545500-voyage-a-travers-le-montreal-de-demain.php Voyage à travers le Montréal de demain], article from ''[[La Presse (Canadian newspaper)|La Presse]]'', 8 December 2011</ref> Schuiten had already worked on such films as ''[[Toto le Héros]]'', ''[[The Golden Compass (film)|The Golden Compass]]'' and ''[[Mr. Nobody (film)|Mr. Nobody]]''.<ref name="montrealdemain"/> The filmmaker wanted the source of his inspiration to play a direct role in the creation of the film rather than try to mimic his style.<ref name="watchmaker"/> For a scene taking place inside the Temple of Cosmologists, Schuiten agreed to have a 3D model made of the futuristic auditorium from ''Fever in Urbicand'', a volume in his ''[[Les Cités Obscures]]'' series. Villeneuve had this image in mind when writing the photo novel. For the shooting of this scene, extras were chosen who looked like the characters from Schuiten's graphic novel.<ref name="altaplana"/>
Villeneuve could not afford to have the imaginary musical instruments used in the film built, so he went to [[Cirque du Soleil]] CEO [[Guy Laliberté]] and convinced him to buy them before they were even made.<ref name="leapsoffthepage"/> When Laliberté saw Villeneuve's TED Talk on 7 June 2013, he offered the filmmaker the "Gravophone" which is seen in the talk.<ref name="bulb">[https://www.bulbapp.com/b/unit/529a9381e4b06b04ceb5791b Trivia & Fun facts about the film], BULB, 2 December 2013</ref> Laliberté has thereby financed the creation of the instruments sculpted by artist Dominique Engel.<ref name="TED" />
===Casting=== Most of the actors who appeared in the photo novels (most notably [[Jacques Languirand]], [[Robert Lepage]], [[Paul Ahmarani]] and [[Stéphane Demers]]) reprised their roles in the film, with the exception of [[Marie-Josée Croze]] (who portrayed the lead female character in the books), due to a schedule conflict. [[Caroline Dhavernas]], who along with Croze was a roommate of Villeneuve during his college years,<ref name="nouvelliste">[https://www.lenouvelliste.ca/archives/martin-villeneuve-lambition-de-la-science-fiction-4a16aab5537ff83149a7a005914a5690 Martin Villeneuve : l'ambition de la science-fiction], article from ''Le Nouvelliste'', 21 January 2012</ref> was then hired to play the part of Avril.<ref name="leapsoffthepage">[https://archive.today/20130103201622/http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Mars+Avril+leaps+page/7343626/story.html?fb_action_ids=493569337328800&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582 "''Mars et Avril'' leaps off the page"], article from ''The Gazette'', 5 October 2012</ref> Her mother [[Michèle Deslauriers]], provided the Montreal Teleportation Service's voice in the film (she is also the voice of the real life metro service).<ref name="hitchhikearide"/>
===Filming=== ====Principal photography==== The film was almost entirely shot on green screen, in 25 days, using the RED digital camera.<ref>[http://www.quietearth.us/articles/2012/02/A-conversation-with-director-Martin-Villeneuve-and-an-English-subbed-MARS-ET-AVRIL Martin Villeneuve talks MARS ET AVRIL + English subbed trailer!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303092326/http://www.quietearth.us/articles/2012/02/A-conversation-with-director-Martin-Villeneuve-and-an-English-subbed-MARS-ET-AVRIL |date=3 March 2020 }}, article from Quiet Earth, 16 February 2012</ref>
Since [[Robert Lepage]] only had a few days available for filming, Villeneuve turned his character into a hologram and had another actor wearing a green hood stand in for his scenes during principal photography.<ref name="tedblog"/> An avant-garde 3D capturing technique was used to integrate him virtually into his scenes as a hologram. Six cameras were trained on Lepage's head while a mime, Jean Asselin, portrayed the body.<ref>[https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2012/10/10/robert-lepage-de-retour-au-cinema Robert Lepage de retour au cinéma], article from ''Le Journal de Montréal'', 13 October 2012</ref> The character became a [[cosmologist]] whose research into [[virtual reality|virtual technologies]] has extended to bold experiments on himself. His head is actually a [[hologram]], with all of his ideas, memories and thoughts stored electronically.<ref>[https://globalnews.ca/news/194482/cronenbergs-son-brandon-villeneuves-brother-martin-debut-in-2012-2/ Cronenberg's son Brandon, Villeneuve's brother Martin debut in 2012], article from ''[[Canadian Press]]'', 30 December 2011</ref><ref>Robert Lepage : L'homme-orchestre, article from ''France-Amérique'', October 2012</ref><ref>[https://www.lapresse.ca/cinema/cinema-quebecois/201210/11/01-4582197-robert-lepage-projete-dans-lavenir.php Robert Lepage projeté dans l'avenir], article from ''La Presse'', 11 October 2012</ref> Additionally, in order to work around Lepage's extremely tight schedule, principal photography took place in [[Montreal]] in two segments; the first was in September 2008, and the second in April 2009.<ref>[https://www.lapresse.ca/cinema/nouvelles/201207/17/01-4546666-mars-et-avril-jacques-languirand-dans-lespace.php Jacques Languirand dans l'espace], article from ''[[La Presse (Canadian newspaper)|La Presse]]'', 29 April 2011</ref>
This was radio host [[Jacques Languirand]]'s first leading role in a feature film. Nearly 80 years old at the time, and being hard of hearing, he wore an ear-piece so that his wife, Nicole Dumais, could feed him his lines off set.<ref>[https://vimeo.com/319120631 The 'Mars & Avril' Experience (22-minute Making Of) on Vimeo], 2013</ref> When performing on the stage of the Liquid Pub with the band of old musicians played by Marcel Sabourin, André Montmorency and Gabriel Gascon, all cultural icons of Quebec like himself, they received a standing ovation from the 50 extras present during the shooting that lasted several minutes. The first assistant director had to stop the applause so as not fall behind schedule.<ref name="bulb"/>
The Martian backgrounds were taken by photographer Denis McCready in the [[Mojave Desert]] using a panoramic film camera. The exact location is near [[Trona Pinnacles]] where several sci-fi movies and TV series were filmed including ''Battlestar Galactica'', ''Star Trek V: The Final Frontier'', ''The Gate II'', ''Lost in Space'' and ''Planet of the Apes''.<ref name="bulb"/>
The scene where Jacob and Arthur are leaving for Mars is inspired by one of Villeneuve's childhood memories: when he was 4 or 5 years old, his older brothers (including [[Denis Villeneuve]]) put him in a box and made him believe that he made a space travel on his way to Mars.<ref>[https://vimeo.com/325546021 ''Mars et Avril'' – Interviews (2011-2013)] on Vimeo</ref><ref>[http://www.radio-canada.ca/emissions/bouillant_de_culture/2011-2012/chronique.asp?idChronique=200249 Mission accomplie] Interview with Martin Villeneuve on ''Bouillant de culture'', 4 February 2012</ref>
====Editing==== By the end of 2009, the editing of a first cut was assembled. In 2010, Martin Villeneuve searched for new investments in order to complete the 550 VFX shots involved in the film.<ref name="nouvelliste"/> In early 2011, [[Anne-Marie Gélinas]] and Benoît Beaulieu joined Villeneuve as producers.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=382319801842144&set=a.323036404437151.75132.127057354035058&type=3&theater On me disait que c'était impossible], article from ''Qui fait Quoi'', 31 January 2012</ref> Telefilm Canada and Alliance Vivafilm both accepted to raise their initial investment, and so did Robert Lepage and Lynda Beaulieu though their new Quebec city-based motion picture company, Les Productions du 8e Art. At this point, [[Pierre Even (producer)|Pierre Even]] and [[Marie-Claude Poulin]] from Item 7 also joined the team as executive producers.<ref>[http://elephant.canoe.com/nouvelles/i-mars-et-avril-i-sortira-en-2012_3276/ ''Mars et Avril'' sortira en 2012]{{dead link|date=April 2026|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, article from ''Le Journal de Montréal'', 29 April 2011</ref>
====Re-shoot==== In March 2011, exactly two years after principal photography was completed, a re-shoot took place at Lepage's request. The scene in which Jacob and Avril make love was shot in Languirand's actual bedroom. The final cut of the film was completed during the summer of the same year.<ref>[http://www.cineplex.com/Nouvelles/Mars-et-Avril-selon-Caroline-Dhavernas.aspx ''Mars et Avril'' selon Caroline Dhavernas], article from Cineplex Magazine, October 2012</ref> Montreal-based post-production company Vision Globale (under the supervision of former [[Industrial Light & Magic|ILM]] Senior Compositor Carlos Monzon) then started the visual effects and sound design.
===Music=== [[Benoît Charest]] was tasked with scoring the music.<ref>[https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2012/02/09/le-pari-fou-de-martin-villeneuve Le pari fou de Martin Villeneuve], article from ''Le Journal de Montréal'', 9 February 2012</ref> Charest's score was composed according to [[Johannes Kepler]]'s cosmological theory, ''[[Harmonices Mundi]]'', in which the harmony of the universe is determined by the motion of celestial bodies, referenced in the film's opening voiced by [[Robert Lepage]].<ref name="opening">[https://vimeo.com/66697472 ''Mars et Avril'' – Opening Sequence], on Vimeo</ref><ref>[https://www.lapresse.ca/cinema/cinema-quebecois/entrevues/201210/06/01-4580918-martin-villeneuve-et-mars-et-avril-science-fiction-romantique.php Science-fiction romantique], article from ''La Presse'', 6 October 2012</ref>
==Marketing and related works== The official trailer<ref>[https://vimeo.com/52035800 ''Mars et Avril'' – Trailer in HD] on Vimeo</ref> was released in Quebec theatres and on Alliance Vivafilm's YouTube channel on 21 December 2011.<ref>[https://io9.com/5870582/breathtaking-trailer-for-a-movie-about-the-only-man-who-doesnt-want-to-go-live-on-mars Breathtaking trailer for a movie about the only man who doesn't want to go live on Mars], article from ''[[io9]]'', 22 December 2011</ref> The official poster,<ref>[http://www.impawards.com/intl/canada/2012/mars_et_avril.html ''Mars et Avril'' - Theatrical Movie Poster] on IMP Awards</ref> designed by [[François Schuiten]], was revealed online on 11 March 2012, once the film was entirely completed.<ref name="altaplana">[http://www.altaplana.be/dictionary/mars_et_avril? ''Mars et Avril'' on Alta-Plana]</ref>
The first in a series of production videos unveiling the film's creation was released online 16 August 2012. A 22-minute "Making of" was aired on [[ARTV]] in October 2012 in order to promote the release of the film, and is now available {{Vimeo|319120631|with English subtitles}}.<ref>[http://emag.co.uk/dazzling-other-worldly-new-sci-fi-fantasy-film-mars-et-avril-the-impossible-movie-debuts-exclusively-on-gaiam-tv/25849 Dazzling Other-Worldly New Sci-Fi Fantasy Film, ''Mars et Avril'', The Impossible Movie Debuts Exclusively On Gaiam TV], article from emag.co.uk, 8 January 2014</ref>
===TED Talk=== On 27 February 2013, [[Martin Villeneuve]] gave a TED Talk<ref name="TED" /> about ''Mars et Avril'' at [[TED (conference)|TED2013]],<ref>[https://blog.ted.com/10-jaw-dropping-images-from-the-film-mars-et-avril-and-how-the-magic-was-created/ 10 jaw-dropping images from the film "Mars et Avril," and how the magic was created], article from the official TED Blog, 7 June 2013</ref><ref name="tedblog">[https://blog.ted.com/a-sci-fi-film-with-a-2-million-budget-martin-villeneuve-at-ted2013/ A sci-fi film with a $2 million budget: Martin Villeneuve at TED2013], article from the official TED Blog, 27 February 2013</ref> thereby becoming the very first French Canadian speaker invited to this prestigious event that took place in [[Long Beach, California]].<ref>[http://cultmontreal.com/2013/06/quebecs-first-ted-talk-martin-villeneuve-chris-anderson/ Quebec's first TED Talk], article from Cult Montreal, 7 June 2013</ref><ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2391202597 CBC C'est La Vie "Quebec filmmaker gives a TED Talk"]</ref> Prior to his talk, the opening sequence of the film was shown,<ref name="opening" /> as well as a three minute overview<ref>[https://vimeo.com/61147709 ''Mars et Avril'' – Creating the Visual Effects (TED2013)] on Vimeo</ref> of the steps leading from the green screen to the final images.<ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/2013/09/four-ted-talks-every-filmmaker-should-watch-34715/ Four TED talks every filmmaker should watch], article from IndieWire, 23 September 2013</ref><ref>[https://filmschoolrejects.com/3-things-you-need-to-make-an-impossible-movie-b8680cd17605/ 3 Things You Need to Make an Impossible Movie], article from Film School Rejects, 1 July 2013</ref><ref>[https://nofilmschool.com/2013/06/making-an-impossible-film-how-director-martin-villeneuve-brought-his-sci-fi-drama-to-life/ Making an Impossible Film: How Director Martin Villeneuve Brought His Sci-Fi Drama to Life], article from No Film School, 14 June 2013</ref> Martin Villeneuve's talk, "How I made an impossible film," was released on TED.com on 7 June 2013, and a month later was added to TED's movie magic list, featuring famed directors such as [[James Cameron]] and [[J. J. Abrams]].<ref>[https://blog.ted.com/8-talks-about-the-making-of-movie-magic/ 10 talks about the making of movie magic]</ref> The talk has been viewed more than a million times across all platforms and subtitled in 30 languages. Since then, ''Mars et Avril'' has been referred to as the "Impossible Film".<ref>[http://www.quietearth.us/articles/2013/06/Making-the-Impossible-Film-Martin-Villeneuve-on-MARS-ET-AVRIL-Video Making the Impossible Film. Martin Villeneuve on MARS ET AVRIL], article from Quiet Earth, 10 June 2013</ref><ref>[https://guestlist.net/article/91297/martin-villeneuve-makes-the-impossible-happen Martin Villeneuve makes the impossible happen], Guestlist, 6 March 2017</ref>
==Release== The world premiere took place on 2 July 2012 at the 47th [[Karlovy Vary International Film Festival]] in the [[Czech Republic]] (the film was selected in the section "Another View" for its "unique" artistic approach in both form and content).<ref name="worldpremiere"/> In Canada, the film was first shown at the [[Atlantic Film Festival]] in [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]] on 15 September 2012. ''Mars et Avril'' was given a theatrical release in Quebec on 12 October 2012.<ref name="12october2012">[https://info-culture.biz/2012/08/23/mars-et-avril-en-salles-des-le-12-octobre-prochain/ MARS ET AVRIL - En salles dès le 12 octobre prochain !], news release from Alliance Vivafilm, 23 August 2012</ref><ref name="floraisonautomnale">[https://www.ledevoir.com/culture/cinema/357701/cinema-quebecois-floraison-automnale Cinéma québécois - Floraison automnale], article from ''Le Devoir'', 25 August 2012</ref>
===Festivals=== * 27 September 2014: Festival du Film Canadien, [[Dieppe]] (closing gala) * 22 March 2014: FICG Festival Internacional de Cine, [[Guadalajara, Mexico]] * 29 September 2013: Lund Fantastisk Film Festival, [[Lund, Sweden]] * 22 September 2013: UTOPIA — Tel-Aviv International Festival of Fantastic Film, [[Tel-Aviv]] * 22 September 2013: Festival de Cinéma de la [[Quebec City|Ville de Québec]] & Vitesse Lumière * 9 July 2013: [[Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival]] * 5 May 2013: Sci-Fi London Film Festival, [[London]]<ref name="screenanarchy">[https://screenanarchy.com/2013/05/sci-fi-london-2013-review-mars-et-avril.html Sci-Fi London 2013 Review: MARS ET AVRIL Deserves Greater Attention], Screen Anarchy, 8 May 2013</ref> * 14 April 2013: Imagine Film Festival, [[Amsterdam]] * 3 April 2013: [[Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival]], ("7th Orbit" 2013 international competition)<ref>[http://35.passage.des.sons.over-blog.com/article-bifff-2013-mars-avril-un-souffle-frais-d-outre-atlantique-118716605.html BIFFF 2013 – ''Mars & Avril'' : un souffle frais d'outre-Atlantique], ''Discordance'', 7 April 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.senscritique.com/film/Mars_et_Avril/critique/21305195 BIFFF 2013 – Critique de ''Mars & Avril''], ''Sens critique'', 4 April 2013</ref> * 23 February 2013: [[Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois]], [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada * 11 February 2013: Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival, [[Boston]] (opening film) * 6 December 2012: Monsters and Martians International Film Festival, [[Toronto]] (opening film) * 1 December 2012: [[Whistler Film Festival]] (Section / Film Type: "Discoveries")<ref>[http://whistlerfilmfestival.com/wff-ted-talks-martin-villeneuve-impossible-film/ From WFF to TED Talks: Martin Villeneuve and his Impossible Film] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224131404/http://whistlerfilmfestival.com/wff-ted-talks-martin-villeneuve-impossible-film/ |date=24 February 2017 }}, ALUMNI NEWS 28 September 2016</ref> * 21 October 2012: [[Mumbai Film Festival]], India * 11 October 2012: [[Festival du Nouveau Cinéma]], [[Montreal]] (opening film of the FOCUS section) * 5 October 2012: [[Mill Valley Film Festival]], [[California]] (U.S. premiere)<ref>[http://prod3.agileticketing.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=41793~abd343d4-8a7b-4bcf-85f6-7bbcdc551e25&epguid=d328d76e-b432-49ce-97ff-8801229ed4e3 ''Mars et Avril'' page on the MVFF's official site]</ref> * 29 September 2012: [[Calgary International Film Festival]] (closing gala) * 17 September 2012: [[Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival]]<ref>[http://cinefest.festivalgenius.com/2012/films/marsetavril_martinvilleneuve_cinefest2012/ ''Mars et Avril'' review on the CSIFF's official site]</ref> * 15 September 2012: [[Atlantic Film Festival]] in [[Metropolitan Halifax|Halifax]] (Canadian premiere) * 2 July 2012: [[Karlovy Vary International Film Festival]], (World premiere; section "Another View")<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1638277/releaseinfo?ref_=tt_ov_inf ''Mars et Avril'' Release Info page on IMDb]</ref>
===Distribution=== ====Domestic home media, streaming, and soundtrack==== The DVD of the film<ref name="DVD" /> as well as the digital version on iTunes<ref>[https://itunes.apple.com/ca/movie/mars-et-avril-subtitled/id595759783?ign-mpt=uo%3D2 ''Mars et Avril'' in HD on iTunes Canada], 19 March 2013</ref> were released in Canada through [[Alliance Atlantis|Alliance Vivafilm]] on 19 March 2013,<ref name="exclaim">[http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/Dvd/mars_et_avril-directed_by_martin_villeneuve ''Mars et Avril'', Directed by Martin Villeneuve], DVD review from Exclaim.ca, 21 March 2013</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/MarsEtAvril/photos/a.323036404437151.75132.127057354035058/609762099097912/?type=3&theater MARS ET AVRIL - DVD], DVD review from PressPlus1.com, 19 March 2013</ref> along with [[Benoît Charest]]'s original soundtrack and the trailer music composed by [[Ramachandra Borcar]].<ref>[https://soundcloud.com/ramborcar_composer/mars-et-avril-bande-annonce#play ''Mars et Avril'' (Bande Annonce / Original Trailer Music)], 19 March 2013</ref> Following Charest's [[Félix Award|Félix]] win of Album of the Year on 22 October 2013 at the [[ADISQ]] Gala, a limited edition of 300 vinyl records were released by Simone Records as a nod to the retro-futuristic look of the film.<ref name="music">[https://www.bulbapp.com/u/ben-charest-how-music-can-set-you-free Benoît Charest: How music can set you free], BULB, 2 December 2013</ref>
====International distribution==== In September 2013, ''Mars et Avril'' was sold to the U.S. and is now available on Amazon,<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Mars-Avril-Martin-Villeneuve/dp/B00I8H5FQG ''Mars et Avril'' in HD on Amazon], December 2013</ref> on iTunes,<ref>[https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/mars-avril/id1152699877?ign-mpt=uo%3D5 ''Mars & Avril'' in HD on iTunes], December 2013</ref> on Google Play<ref>[https://play.google.com/store/movies/details/Mars_et_Avril?id=EmyBDXOG3d0 ''Mars & Avril'' in HD on Google Play], December 2013</ref> and on [[Gaiam|GaiamTV]].<ref>[http://www.gaiamtv.com/video/mars-et-avril ''Mars et Avril'' on GaiamTV], 13 September 2013</ref><ref name="io9">[https://io9.com/spend-the-weekend-watching-the-impossible-and-beautifu-1478078859 Spend the weekend watching the impossible (and beautiful) ''Mars & Avril''], review from ''[[io9]]'', 6 December 2013</ref> The film is also available on iTunes in the UK, and all across Francophone Europe, among other digital platforms.<ref name="fantasy">[https://www.bulbapp.com/b/unit/528bfd16e4b0083c00010e4f A futuristic tale of fantasy and desire], BULB, 2 December 2013</ref>
==Reception== ===Critical response=== {{quote box |align=right |width=25em |quote=A trippy science fiction fable about the musicality of the universe that's set in Montreal and on the Red Planet, the sumptuously designed ''Mars et Avril'' is certainly one of a kind. (…) Sans rousing battle or action sequences, the film is that rare sci-fi spectacle that foregrounds elements other than Manichean ideas of good and evil — in this case romance, music and philosophizing about the universe. (…) Shot on a tight budget and with abundant use of green screen, the world Villeneuve puts onscreen nonetheless feels whole and, in the sci-fi context, credible. |source=—Boyd van Hoeij, in his review for [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']]<ref name="variety"/> }} ''Mars et Avril'' received generally positive reviews after its release in Quebec.<ref name="amoursfuturistes">[https://www.ledevoir.com/culture/cinema/361291/amours-futuristes-et-emois-metaphysiques Amours futuristes et émois métaphysiques], review from ''Le Devoir'', 13 October 2012</ref><ref name="hitchhikearide">[https://archive.today/20131215220246/http://www2.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/movies/story.html?id=2b6ac7a7-b119-4efa-81f3-710b529394a3&p=1 An unforgettable ride through a futuristic Montreal], review from ''[[The Montreal Gazette|The Gazette]]'', 12 October 2012</ref><ref>[https://www.nightlife.ca/2012/10/11/mars-et-avril-romance-cosmique-dans-un-montreal-futuriste-ou-teleportation-et-disques-v ''Mars et Avril'' : romance cosmique dans un Montréal futuriste où téléportation et disques vinyles co-existent], review from ''Night Life'', 11 October 2012</ref><ref name="reussitevisuelle">[https://www.journaldequebec.com/2012/10/10/une-reussite-visuelle Une réussite visuelle], review from ''Le Journal de Montréal'', 10 October 2012</ref> The film also received mostly positive reviews upon its release in the international festival circuit, starting with a world premiere in [[Karlovy Vary International Film Festival|Karlovy Vary]].<ref name="io9"/><ref name="variety"/><ref name="screendaily">[https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-latest/mars-and-april/5044356.article ''Mars and April''], review from ''[[Screen Daily]]'', 13 July 2012</ref><ref>[https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2012/07/02/bel-accueil-pour-mars-et-avril Bel accueil pour ''Mars et Avril''], article from ''Le Journal de Montréal'', 3 July 2012</ref> Brendan Kelly from ''[[Montreal Gazette|The Gazette]]'' gave it 4.5 stars out of 5 and called it "light-hearted and inspired!" He wrote: "There's a sly wit at work here — that's one of the reasons I so liked ''Mars et Avril''. It doesn't take itself too seriously while tackling some pretty weighty themes, like the nature of inspiration, the relationship between love and sensuality and the notion of how music can set you free. (…) An extraordinary universe that's remarkably inventive and impossible to forget."<ref name="hitchhikearide"/> Mark Adams from ''[[Screen Daily]]'' was also quite enthusiastic, and described the settings as a "stunning futuristic Montreal, lovingly produced via the special effects, creating an unworldly and dreamy future city that fits perfectly with the graphic novel style." But Adams also noted that "the audience for the film will be relatively niche. This type of esoteric sci-fi — such as [[Enki Bilal]]'s 2004 film ''Immortal (Ad Vitam)'' — works well in France and with fans of comics anthology ''[[Metal Hurlant]]'' and similar graphic novels, but rarely breaks out into the mainstream."<ref name="screendaily"/>
Online reviews also praised the film. Writing for ''[[Twitch Film]]'', Shelagh M. Rowan-Legg claimed that it "deserves greater attention", adding: "Oh, what a wonderful, rich, glorious treat of a film ''Mars et Avril'' is. A sci-fi steam-punk romance with a terrific score, it is a delight to the senses. Visually stunning, melodramatic in its storytelling, and unafraid to delve into deep philosophical musings."<ref name="screenanarchy"/> Esther Inglis-Arkell from sci-fi authority ''[[io9]]'' gave it her two thumbs up: "''Mars et Avril'' is a movie that will surprise you. It has to, as every time it seems to go one way, it will twist off in a new direction. It will also give your eyes a good time (…) It looks beautiful and it looks different. This movie took seven years to make and inspired a TED talk about how to make an 'impossible' film. It's also one of the most beautiful, and immersive, science fiction worlds on film."<ref name="io9"/> Jay Seaver from ''efilmcritic.com'' called it a "thoroughly funky French-Canadian sci-fi!", and wrote: "All of this put together is a small, colorful delight – the funny bits come and go quickly enough to get their chuckles and not wear out their welcome, the whole thing is pretty, and the story that eventually gets told has some heft to it without ever losing sight of the film's goal of being entertaining."<ref>[http://www.efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=24768&reviewer=371 ''Mars et Avril''], review from eFilmCritic.com, 11 February 2013</ref>
===Accolades=== ;Awards * 11 February 2013: [[Boston]] Sci-Fi Film Festival, United States – Honorable mention for "incredible post-production work".<ref name="fantasy" /> * 9 July 2013: [[Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival]], Switzerland (international competition) – Imaging the Future Award. * 22 October 2013: Benoît Charest won the [[Félix Award|Félix]] in the category "Album of the year – original soundtrack" at the [[ADISQ]] Gala.<ref name="music" />
;Nominations * Canadian Screen Awards, 2013: ** Achievement in Music – Original Score ([[Benoît Charest]]) ** Achievement in Overall Sound (Pascal Beaudin, Daniel Bisson, [[Luc Boudrias]], Olivier Calvert) ** Achievement in Visual Effects (Vision Globale) ** Best Adapted Screenplay ([[Martin Villeneuve]]) * [[Jutra Awards]] 2013: ** Best Art Direction ([[François Schuiten]], Élisabeth Williams, Martin Tessier, Patrick Sioui) ** Best Sound (Pascal Beaudin, Luc Boudrias, Olivier Calvert) ** Best Costume Design (Mariane Carter) ** Best Hairstyling (Richard Hansen) ** Best Score ([[Benoît Charest]]) * 23 February 2013: [[Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois]], [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada – In competition for the Gilles-Carle Award.<ref name="fantasy" /> * 9 July 2013: [[Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival]], Switzerland (international competition) – Narcisse Award for Best Feature Film.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|1638277|Mars et Avril}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mars and Avril}} [[Category:Canadian science fiction films]] [[Category:Films based on Canadian comics]] [[Category:Live-action films based on comics]] [[Category:Quebec films]] [[Category:Films shot in Montreal]] [[Category:Mars in film]] [[Category:2012 science fiction films]] [[Category:2012 films]] [[Category:French-language Canadian films]] [[Category:2012 Canadian films]] [[Category:Films scored by Benoît Charest]]