In the forward to André Loiselle's fabulous new book Cinema as History: Michel Brault and Modern Quebec, TIFF Director and CEO Piers Handling begins by writing, "Among all the aignificant personalities of the Canadian cinema, Michel Brault stands alone." Brault, who is the subject of this year's Canadian Retrospective (available in the Canadian Retrospective Package), is certainly one of the towering figures of Canadian film.
Brault directed some of this country's greatest movies, first documentaries, and then features, including the landmark film of Canadian political cinema, Les Ordes.
Brault is also a superb cinematographer, working with director's such as Claude Jutra, Anne Claire Poirier and Francis Mankiewicz, with whom he made the astounding, Les Bons Débarras.
Brault will be in attendance at this year's festival to introduce his films, a rare chance to see a master reflect on his art.