Even producers of Oscar-nominated ‘Incendies’ had misgivings about the project

MONTREAL – "Incendies" is now a darling of the film set and Hollywood is wooing its director. But there was a time when even the movie’s would-be producers thought twice about getting involved.

Co-producers Luc Dery and Kim McCraw had misgivings about the film when it was pitched to them by director Denis Villeneuve, who is now fielding offers from U.S. filmmakers.

Villeneuve broached the matter with Dery when they ran into each other in 2004, just after Villeneuve had been amazed by the Wajdi Mouawad play that was the basis for the film.

"He just said, ‘I saw this play ‘Incendies’ a couple of days ago and I think it’s going to make a terrific film’," Dery recalled in an interview.

Villeneuve encouraged Dery and McCraw to see it and suggested they could work together in making the movie.

"We saw the play and it’s an amazing play," Dery said. "At the same time, it’s a bit scary because it’s so epic and there’s so much stuff going on. It’s like four hours long, there’s 10-minute monologues. . . ."

Dery and McCraw conveyed their concerns to Villeneuve but he was undeterred. He saw stripping away a lot of the dialogue, saying he would almost "make it like a silent film." The images would tell the story.

"That’s what made us decide he had the right approach to doing it," Dery said. "He didn’t want to do filmed theatre."

There’s still plenty of dialogue but Dery said, "I think you get more emotion and more content through the images in the film than through the dialogue."

But then they had to convince a distributor in France so they could complete the financing to get the cameras rolling.

"Almost everybody quite liked it but still everybody passed because they thought the film would be too difficult to release in the French market," Dery said of the roughly dozen independent art film distributors who were approached.

The dark portrayal of a quest by twins to uncover their mother’s Middle Eastern roots was eventually embraced by Happiness Distribution in Paris. The small company’s president fell in love with the movie.

"Now she’s doing incredible business with the film in France," Dery said.

It’s something that’s not lost on the others who said thanks, but no thanks, he notes with a hint of impish satisfaction in his voice.

"Now all these French distributors kind of realize they said no to a film that could have made them a lot of money," he said with a little laugh. "They all come back to us saying, ‘You know, you guys, mea culpa, we made a mistake. We should have said yes.’

"And they’re happy for us and it’s great because they’re also looking forward to our next projects."

Despite the hurdles, "Incendies" has become a favourite on the film festival circuit, been bathed in critical acclaim and seen its English-language box office hit $400,000 as of this week.

Dery said its popularity is driving it onto more screens in more markets in Canada, with a recent boost from its nomination for an Oscar as best foreign-language film. The award is being handed out on Sunday in Hollywood.

Dery said the box-office take is pretty impressive given the film was only released in January.

"It’s actually pretty good for any Canadian film but for a Quebec film it’s almost unheard of except for the rare exception like ‘Les Invasions barbares’ and maybe a couple of films like that."

Denys Arcand’s "Les Invasions barbares (The Barbarian Invasions) won an Oscar in 2004 for best foreign film.

Dery said the Oscar nod for "Incendies" has unquestionably benefited his micro-scope inc. company.

"People pay a little more attention when you want to talk about a new project," he said. "If they’ve heard about your previous film being nominated for an Academy Award, it always helps."

Dery said Villeneuve is also being courted by American producers to make films for them.

"He will probably do it at some point in time. He’s not saying no to that at all. He’s looking for the right project."

However, Dery added that Villeneuve "still wants to make films in Quebec."

And Villeneuve, who is being touted as the heir apparent to Arcand with his Academy Award nod, is also taking a little ribbing from his counterparts, Dery said.

"Everybody makes jokes about needing your first name to be Denis (or Denys) to have a crack at going to the Oscars," he said. "They make jokes about some filmmakers changing their name to Denis (Denys) something."

Dery said everybody is excited about having a fun weekend in Hollywood, although they’re also feeling a little jittery given the high expectations.

"We’re looking forward to Sunday and we’re also very much looking forward to Monday when it’s going to be said and done and we’ll just get on with our lives."