Denys Arcand
Biography
Georges-Henri Denys Arcand CC GOQ (born June 25, 1941) is a French-Canadian film director, screenwriter and producer based in Montreal, who crafts deeply personal and thought-provoking films, earning international acclaim. His career began with features like "Une Maudite Galette" (1972) and "Gina" (1975), exploring diverse narratives. "The Decline of the American Empire" (1986) depicted Quebecois intellectuals tackling issues of sexuality, success, and intimacy, winning critical acclaim, nine Genies, and a Cannes Fipresci prize.
"Jesus of Montreal" delved into the lives of Montreal artists portraying biblical figures, blending day-to-day struggles with religious performances. Arcand's film "Stardom" satirized fame, closing Cannes 2000 and opening TIFF, a rare honour for Canadian cinema. "The Barbarian Invasions," a sequel to his earlier work, earned Arcand an Oscar, Cannes prizes, French Cesars, and Quebec Jutra awards, solidifying his cinematic legacy.
Acting (28 movies)
The Black Sheep
1992
Montreal Stories
1991
Normande
1975
Shooting Star
2005
Live Before the Letter
2006
Barney's Version
2010
Night Zoo
1987
The Barbarian Invasions
2003
Dirty Money
1972
Achieving the Unachievable
2007
Le cri du rhinocéros
2018
Kiss Me With All Your Love
2016
C'est pas la faute à Jacques Cartier
1968
Mon oeil
1971
Réjeanne Padovani
1973
Forgotten Flowers
2019
Pigs Are Seldom Clean
1973
The Magical Eye
1989
Léolo
1992
Jesus of Montreal
1989
Sodankylä Forever
2010
Nominingue... depuis qu'il existe
1967
Good Men
2024
Le prix du paradis
2017
At the End of Nothing at All
2024
Quebec: Duplessis and After...
1972
Cinéma, cinéma
1985
À la lumière du soir
2025
Directing (30 movies)
Jesus of Montreal
1989
The Barbarian Invasions
2003
Days of Darkness
2007
Love & Human Remains
1994
Stardom
2000
The Decline of the American Empire
1986
Gina
1975
Comfort and Indifference
1982
Montreal Stories
1991
Réjeanne Padovani
1973
The Crime of Ovide Plouffe
1984
Poverty and Other Delights
1996
Cotton Mill, Treadmill
1970
An Eye for Beauty
2014
Dirty Money
1972
Quebec: Duplessis and After...
1972
Montreal On a Summer's Day
1965
Alone or with Others
1962
Testament
2023
Atlantic Parks
1967
Volleyball
1966
Champlain
1964
Ville-Marie
1965
The Fall of the American Empire
2018
The Road to the West
1965
Québec 1603 - Samuel de Champlain
1964
The Struggle of Hospital Workers
1976
East of Eaton
1959
Burghers of Vancouver
2016
Letters of a Portuguese Nun
1991
| Title | Year | Job |
|---|---|---|
| Alone or with Others | 1962 | Writer |
| Springboard to the Sun | 1964 | Writer |
| Champlain | 1964 | Writer |
| Québec 1603 - Samuel de Champlain | 1964 | Writer |
| Parallels and the Great Sun | 1964 | Writer |
| Supports and Suspensions | 1964 | Writer |
| Jusqu'au cou | 1964 | Writer |
| The Road to the West | 1965 | Writer |
| Between Sweet and Salt Water | 1967 | Writer |
| Quebec: Duplessis and After... | 1972 | Writer |
| Réjeanne Padovani | 1973 | Writer |
| Comfort and Indifference | 1982 | Writer |
| The Decline of the American Empire | 1986 | Screenplay |
| Jesus of Montreal | 1989 | Writer |
| Letters of a Portuguese Nun | 1991 | Screenplay |
| Montreal Stories | 1991 | Writer |
| Ma soeur, mon amour | 1992 | Screenplay |
| Stardom | 2000 | Writer |
| The Barbarian Invasions | 2003 | Screenplay |
| Lost & Profound | 2005 | Producer |
| Days of Darkness | 2007 | Screenplay |
| An Eye for Beauty | 2014 | Writer |
| Burghers of Vancouver | 2016 | Writer |
| The Fall of the American Empire | 2018 | Writer |
| Testament | 2023 | Writer |