November 30th: MAELSTROM (Denis Villeneuve, 2000)

A woman's life is in turmoil following a fatal hit-and-run accident and a traumatic abortion.

Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve went to film school in Montreal, and had early success, winning a youth film competition. His first short film and feature film both premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

For his second feature, Villeneuve wrote an original screenplay intended as a cautionary tale, examining people's defense mechanisms and the failure to be more responsible.

Starring is Quebecois actress Marie-Josée Croze (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Munich). Working with Villeneuve for a third time is cinematographer André Turpin.

While the subject matter is dark, Villeneuve adds absurdist touches such as the story being narrated by a dying fish, includes surreal imagery, and plays with non-linear time structure.

The film screened at the Montreal, Berlin, and Toronto film festivals, winning awards at each, and went on to win 5 Genie Awards (Canada's Oscars) for Best Film, Direction, Actress, Screenplay, and Cinematography.

Running time is approx. 90 min.