Vic + Flo Saw a Bear (2013)

A different way of telling a story

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Watched this movie at the 15th Mumbai Film Festival and it was a totally unexpected treat. I thought it would be a mushy lesbian movie, instead, it turned to be a stark, violent film about ex-cons. The look of the film is superb, set as it is in the rural backwaters of Quebec. The forest, the tin house, the narrow roads, the soft autumn light, even the brief glimpse of a town when the three main actors go to a diner after a tour of the local museum. The casting is perfect, with each of the actors looking the part, including the bad girl who looks so very evil in the end. The films at first lulls you into thinking its a staid drama (with the two leading ladies roaming the rural roads on a golf-cart like vehicle), but then it turns grim and rather scary. I liked the "bossy" parole officer (didn't realize he was gay until Flo said so!) who turns out to be all sentimental in the end.

It's captivating if you let it, as another reviewer stated here. It's very strange that even though you feel that the movie goes off a couple of times (you could also call it being inconsistent and off-balance), there is a weird enticing element to it. And it's not the fact that we have lesbians in the main role.There is another level to the movie, that is a layer of mystery, that might leave you with a few questions you might not be able to answer. But you'll either cherish that thought or think that it is redundant. If it's the former you will be able to enjoy the movie to a certain degree. The relationships between characters is very important. But the ending is really not holding back either ... You'll love it or hate it

Canadian screenwriter, producer and director Denis Côté's fifth feature film which he wrote, premiered in Canada, was screened In competition at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival in 2013, was shot on location in Canada and is a Canadian production which was produced by producers Sylvain Corbeil and Stéphanie Morissette. It tells the story about a middle-aged woman named Victoria Champagne who after having moved in with her infirm uncle named Émile who lives in a house in a forest and began tending his garden meets a probation officer named Guillaume who has a lot of questions about her reasons for being there and is visited by a woman named Florence Richemont.Distinctly and brilliantly directed by Canadian filmmaker Denis Côté, this rhythmic fictional tale which is narrated from multiple viewpoints, draws a reflective portrayal of a woman's relationship with her past, society, other people and a younger woman. While notable for its naturalistic and atmospheric milieu depictions, sterling and low-keyed art direction by art director Colombe Raby, distinct cinematography by cinematographer Ian Lagarde and use of colors, this narrative-driven story about the prospects of two women with unknown backgrounds which is an exemplary piece of artistic cinema depicts two enigmatic and interrelated studies of character and contains a prominent instrumental score by composer Melissa Lavergne.This psychological, surreal and cinematographic indie which is set during an autumn in Canada in the 21st century, is impelled and reinforced by its brilliant narrative structure, subtle character development and continuity, sparse dialog, rare humor, interrelated realities, esoteric characters, efficient use of sound, aura of mystic and the understated and fine acting performances by Québécois actress Pierette Robitaille, French actress Romane Bohringer, Canadian actor Marc-Andre Grondin and Quebec actress Maria Brassard. A quiet and uncanny love-story and a remarkably captivating mystery which gained the Alfred Bauer Prize at the 63rd Berlin Film Festival in 2013.

I saw this film at the Berlinale 2013, where is was part of the official Competition. The story line is an achievement in itself, because of mixing an intriguing story together with intriguing characters. Throwing in a parole officer who pops up every now and then, plus some people out of the past with an ax to grind, plus a remote cottage far away from everyone, all this combined creates a setting for an interesting story. All the time it keeps you wondering what will happen next, with hidden agenda's all around. Even a friendly woman who offers to help with the garden, cannot be trusted, so it seems.It is next to impossible condensing the story here in a few sentences. Moreover, I think it is counter productive to reveal too much of what is going to happen. Lean back and wait for several surprises. (*** warning *** spoiler ahead***) Pity that it ended so miserably for the two main characters.After the Berlinale festival I learned that this film received the Alfred Bauer Prize (Silver Bear), (start quote) "awarded in memory of the Festival Founder, for a feature film that opens new perspectives" (end quote). I'm not sure I concur, due to my failure to feel with either one of the characters involved. This may be my fault, of course, but it gets in the way of recommending this film without any hesitation. Still, a remarkable piece of work, augmented with great casting and acting all along.