LOUIS 19TH (1992)
- Run Time: 95 min.
- Rating: AA
- Director: Michel Poulette
- Writer(s): Sylvie Bouchard, Emile Gaudreault, Michel Michaud and Michel Poulette
- Producer(s): Jacques Dorfmann, Richard Sadler & Pierre Laberge
- Star(s): Martin Drainville, Agathe de la Fontaine, Dominique Michel
Stills
Plot Summary
Years before the reality TV boom, Quebec filmmaker Poulette made Louis 19th, a film that anticipated such programming. In this engaging comedy, Louis Jobin (Drainville), a TV addict, wins a contest to become the subject of a “reality” television series. As the winner, Louis will be followed everywhere by a camera crew, non-stop for three months. A lonely and goofy guy, Louis is initially thrilled and expects his life to change for the better. But when a huge audience responds to the show and media frenzy starts building around him, Louis discovers that it’s not easy being a celebrity. This film was remade by Ron Howard as EDtv.
“Particularly astonishing...its commentary was both funny and telling.” — Mathew Hays, Montage
About the Director
Michel Poulette
Montreal writer/director Michel Poulette won numerous awards for Louis 19th, including the Claude Jutra Award for direction of a first feature film and the Golden Reel Award. For television, Poulette directed Agent of Influence, Bonnano: A Godfather’s Story and episodes of the CBC’s Sophie.