Phoenixes (film)
| Phoenixes | |
|---|---|
| French | Phénix |
| Directed by | Jonathan Beaulieu-Cyr |
| Written by | Jonathan Beaulieu-Cyr |
| Produced by | Fanny Forest |
| Starring | Maxime Genois Aksel Leblanc Evelyne Brochu |
| Cinematography | Ariane Falardeau St-Amour |
| Edited by | Paul Chotel Omar Elhamy |
| Music by | Ouri |
Production company | Sans Rancoeur Films |
| Distributed by | h264 Distribution |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | French |
Phoenixes (French: Phénix) is a Canadian drama film, directed and written by Jonathan Beaulieu-Cyr, and released in 2024.[1]
Synopsis
In the mid-2000s, Joël Girard (Maxime Genois), a charismatic and endearing soldier in the Canadian military, is about to be deployed to Afghanistan. His wife and son, Michelle (Evelyne Brochu) and Jacob (Aksel Leblanc), must learn to live with this new reality: this new mission comes with real risk. In an effort to get closer to Jacob, Joël starts coaching his soccer team, the Phoenixes. Despite his efforts, a rift will grow between him and his son.[2]
Production
This is Beaulieu-Cyr's first feature film as an individual, having previously codirected the docudrama Mad Dog Labine (2018) with Renaud Lessard.
Jonathan Beaulieu-Cyr wrote the screenplay based in part on his own experiences as the son of a soldier who fought in Afghanistan.[3]
The film was shot in fall 2023, in and around Quebec City.[4]
The cast also includes Alexandre Landry, Rosemarie Sabor, Francis La Haye, Maxime Desjardins-Tremblay, Charles Fournier, Étienne Lou, Nadia Girard Eddahia and Stéfanelle Auger in supporting roles.
Distribution
The film had its world premiere at the Quebec City Film Festival (FCVQ) on September 13, 2024,[5] where it won a Special Mention from the Jury for Best First Fiction Feature.[6] It was later also screened in the Borsos Competition program at the 2024 Whistler Film Festival.[7]
The film was released in Quebec on August 22, 2025.[8]
Awards
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec City Film Festival | 2024 | Best First Feature Film, Special Jury Mention | Jonathan Beaulieu-Cyr | Won | [6] |
| Whistler Film Festival | 2024 | Best Director of a Borsos Competition Film | Won | [9] | |
| Best Cinematography in a Borsos Competition Film | Ariane Falardeau St-Amour | Won | |||
| Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma | 2025 | Gilles Carle Award | Jonathan Beaulieu-Cyr | Won | [10] |
| Prix Iris | 2025 | Revelation of the Year | Aksel Leblanc | Nominated | [11] |
| Prix collégial du cinéma québécois | 2026 | Best Feature Film | Jonathan Beaulieu-Cyr | Pending | [12] |
References
- ^ Charles-Henri Ramond, "Phénix en avant-première au FCVQ". Films du Québec, September 2, 2024.
- ^ Geneviève Bouchard, "Tournage du film Phénix : du bar laitier à la base militaire". Le Soleil, September 14, 2023.
- ^ Cédric Bélanger, "Phénix: fils de soldat, le cinéaste Jonathan Beaulieu-Cyr racontera le départ de son père pour l’Afghanistan". Le Journal de Québec, November 9, 2022.
- ^ Alexandre Caputo, "Sur le plateau du film «Phénix»: la réalité des militaires vue par la famille". Le Journal de Québec, September 14, 2023.
- ^ "PHÉNIX de Jonathan Beaulieu-Cyr présenté en avant-première au FCVQ". CTVM, August 22, 2024.
- ^ a b ICI.Radio-Canada.ca, Zone Arts-. "Le film Le dernier repas primé au Festival de cinéma de la ville de Québec". Radio-Canada (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ Janet Smith, "Hunting Matthew Nichols and Kryptic among B.C. contingent as Whistler Film Festival unveils Canadian entries". Stir, October 28, 2024.
- ^ "DÉVOILEMENT DE LA BANDE-ANNONCE du film PHÉNIX de JONATHAN BEAULIEU-CYR qui sera à l'affiche le 22 août 2025". April 17, 2025.
- ^ Gail Johnson, "Whistler Film Festival announces 2024 award winners". Stir, December 10, 2024.
- ^ Charles-Henri Ramond, "Phénix remporte le prix Gilles-Carle". Films du Québec, March 1, 2025.
- ^ Fanny Bourel, "Une langue universelle en tête des nominations du Gala Québec Cinéma". Radio Canada International, October 7, 2025.
- ^ Charles-Henri Ramond, "(PCCQ 2026) Les finalistes dévoilés". Films du Québec, January 14, 2026.