Everything is Fine (Tout est parfait)

Wednesday, September 17 – 7:30pm
at Pacific Cinémathèque 1131 Howe Street, Downtown Vancouver Everything is most definitely not fine in this compelling feature debut from Quebecois director Yves-Christian Fournier. Sixteen-year-old Josh (Maxime Dumontier) wakes one morning to learn of the suicide of one of his best friends. Another young man is found dead, and then another – all victims of an apparent suicide pact that leaves four teens dead and Josh the only survivor of this group of five friends. In anguish, but unable to articulate his feelings, Josh retreats from the world around him. A kind-hearted school psychologist cannot reach him at all, and as his relationship with his parents disintegrates, Josh attempts to connect with the father of one of the dead boys. Rebuffed by the despairing man, Josh begins a tempestuous affair with Mia (Chloe Bourgeois), the former girlfriend of one of his friends, but their burgeoning relationship is threatened by Josh’s instability. Desperate and feeling completely alone, Josh seeks an early exit of his own . . . Drawing parallels to the work of Gus Van Sant (Elephant) and Larry Clark (Bully), Fournier’s film stands out for its emotive cinematography, clever and seamless use of flashbacks, and truly outstanding performances. Everything is Fine premiered at Berlin, and went on to win the Grand Jury Prize in the New Directors Showcase at the 2008 Seattle festival. “Extraordinary . . . the best Quebecois film since C.R.A.Z.Y.” (Brendan Kelly, Montreal Gazette). Colour, 35mm, in French with English subtitles. 118 mins. Post-screening discussion with Dammy Damstrom-Albach and Judy Davies. Dammy Damstrom-Albach, MSW, MA. Dammy has worked with SAFER (Suicide Attempt Follow-Up Education and Research) for 25 years, both as a therapist and more recently as the manager of the program. SAFER is a program of Vancouver Coastal Heath that provides counselling and support to people who are suicidal, those concerned about them, or those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Judy Davies, Child & Adolescent Suicide Clinician with Vancouver Coastal Health, counsels children and youth who present with suicide ideation, and provides youth suicide intervention training. She participated in the Alberta development of “Hope & Healing: A Practical Guide for Survivors of Suicide” which has been adapted to BC, and was on the Advisory Committee for the Center for Suicide Prevention’s development of an one-day Youth Suicide Workshop. Co-sponsored by the Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of B.C.; Medical Students for Mental Health Awareness;SAFER; and Child & Youth Mental Health Services, Vancouver Community, Vancouver Coastal Health. Moderated by Dr. Harry Karlinsky, Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia Frames of Mind is a monthly film event utilizing film and video to promote professional and community education on issues pertaining to mental health and illness. For more information, see http://www.cinematheque.bc.ca/sept_oct_08/frames_of_mind.htm $9.50 Adult Single Bill / $8.00 Senior/Student Single Bill / $11.50 Adult Double Bill / $10.00 Senior/Student Double Bill
Advance tickets available at www.cinematheque.bc.ca
24hr Film Infoline: 604 688 FILM