J’ai tué ma mère (I Killed My Mother)
Director: Xavier Dolan
Screenplay: Xavier Dolan
Cinematography: Stéphanie Weber Biron / Nicolas Canniccioni
Original Music: Nicholas Savard-L’Herbier
Release dates: 18 May 2009 (Cannes) / 5 June 2009 (Canada)
Cast:
- Hubert Minel ——————————————————– Xavier Dolan
- Chantale Lemming (Hubert’s mother) ——————— Anne Dorval
- Julie Cloutier (Hubert’s teacher) —————————— Suzanne Clément
- Antonin Rimbaud (Hubert’s boyfriend) ——————– François Arnaud
- Hélène Rimbaud (Antonin’s mother) ———————– Patricia Tulasne
Country: Canada
Plot:
Hubert, a 16-year-old boy, lives in Montréal suburban with his mother, Chantale, who divorced Hubert’s father, Richard, when Hubert was around four years old. One morning, as Chantale drives Hubert to school, he starts an argument with her about her radio and careless driving. The argument ends when Hubert is forced by Chantale to leave the car. At school in order to avoid an assignment requiring parents’ signature, Hubert lies to his teacher, Ms Cloutier, that his mother is dead.
Later in the film, Chantale finds out from Antonin’s mother that Antonin and Hubert are a gay couple. She appears hurt that he did not tell her. Hubert wants to rent an apartment with Antonin and he is happy about his mother’s approval, but the next day she has changed her mind. Their relationship continues to deteriorate. Hubert thus chooses to leave and live with his boyfriend. Hubert’s father invites him over; however, once there, Richard and Chantale tell Hubert they’ve decided to send him to a boarding school.
At the Catholic boarding school, Hubert meets Eric. Eric invites Hubert to go to a nightclub with the other students, where they make out and Hubert takes drug. Hubert then goes back home, wakes his mother, and has an conversation with her. The next morning, she takes Hubert to Antonin’s mother’s office to paint on the walls. He and Antonin end up having sex. Hubert, later at home, trashes his mother’s bedroom, but he calms down and cleans it up. After a fight, Chantale sends Hubert back to the boarding school.
Back at school, Hubert is beaten by two students. He runs away with the help of Antonin. On the road, Antonin tells Hubert that he is selfish, but he loves him. The school’s principal calls Chantale to inform her of Hubert’s runaway, revealing Hubert’s note, saying he will be “In his kingdom”. The principal lectures Chantale, which causes her to bust out at him, saying he has no right to judge a single mother. Chantale then goes to where Hubert’s “kingdom” is —- the house he lived in as a child with both his parents. Chantale sits next to Hubert by a beach. The film ends with a home movie clip of child Hubert playing with Chantale.