French-Canadian Horror First Opens Friday

This weekend, audiences across Quebec brace for the opening of the area's first French-language horror movie. "Sur le seuil" ("Evil Words") opens October 3 on 70 screens across the province.

"Sur le seuil" is directed by Éric Tessier from a screenplay cowritten with author Patrick Sénécal. The story, taken from Sénécal's 1998 novel, revolves around a horror novelist (played by comic/actor Patrick Huard) who chops of the ends of his fingers in an attempt to stop himself from writing. Michel Côté, one of Quebec's most popular actors, stars as a jaded psychiatrist whose world is turned upside-down by the writer.

Though local-produced French-language films like the comedy "La grande séduction" do well in the province, it's uncertain how audiences will react to the dark themes and horrific violence in "Sur le seuil". Those involved are optimistic, citing the popularity of horror around the world.

"It's a genre that's existed for ages elsewhere," said Côté. "Everyone's seen The Exorcist. So why should it be a problem if it comes from Quebec? Here we are in 2003 and we've never done a film like this. It's odd. I think it's the price we pay for having a publicly funded film system where people (at the funding agencies) decide what kinds of films we're allowed to make."

Source: Canada.com