Forever Quebec. Jean-Claude Labreeque (Director). Yves Fortin (Productions Thalie Producer). Yves Bisaillon & Christian Medawar (NFB Producers). Montreal, PQ: National Film Board of Canada, 2008. 52 min., DVD, $99.95. Order Number: 153E 9908 349. Subject Heading: Quebec (Quebec)-History. Quebec (Quebec)-Description and Travel. Grades 9 and up / Ages 14 and up. Review by Frank Loreto. **/4

The devotion showed by someone truly in love is often moving to watch. This is the case of filmmaker Jean-Claude Labrecque’s treatment of Quebec City. Clearly he adores his city, and Forever Quebec is simply a celebration of his love.

     Juxtaposing old paintings and more recent photographs, he tells the history of Quebec City from the days of Champlain to today. He frames the telling of Quebec’s history as if to someone who knows little about the city and how it was formed. He delights in all aspects of Quebec’s history, culture, and beauty.


     Produced in 2008, Forever Quebec marks the 400th anniversary of the establishment of Quebec, and there is not much of those years that Labrecque leaves out. That is the main problem with the film. He lovingly portrays so many aspects of the city that anyone not so enamoured could get tired. The film moves very slowly and would not hold the attention of students if shown in its entirety as it comes across like an endless holiday slide show.


     However, as a session before or after a Quebec trip, the film would have value. For anyone who has never experienced the beauty of Quebec City, Forever Quebec could act as an incentive to travel.

Recommended.

Frank Loreto is a teacher-librarian at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in Brampton, ON.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

 

NEXT REVIEW | TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE- November 5, 2010.

AUTHORS | TITLES | MEDIA REVIEWS | PROFILES | BACK ISSUES | SEARCH | CMARCHIVE | HOME