Gabrielle

Gabrielle (2013)

Gabrielle is a young woman with Williams syndrome who has a contagious joie de vivre and an exceptional musical gift. Since she met her boyfriend Martin, at the recreation centre where they are choir members, they have been inseparable. However, because they are "different," their loved ones are fearful of their relationship. As the choir prepare for an important music festival, Gabrielle does everything she can to gain her independence. As determined as she is, Gabrielle must still confront other people's prejudices as well as her own limitations in the hope of experiencing a love far from the "ordinary".

Date of release
2013-09-20
TMDB
6.3 / 10 (46)
Runtime
1h 44m
Genres
Drama, Romance
Director
Louise Archambault

Casting

Interesting facts

  • Filmed in: Montreal
  • Awards: 1 · Nominations: 1. Including: Valois Magelis

Gabrielle is a 2013 Canadian drama film directed by Louise Archambault and starring Gabrielle Marion-Rivard as Gabrielle, a young woman with Williams syndrome who participates in a choir of developmentally disabled adults, and begins a romantic relationship with her choirmate Martin. It features a cast from a real choir for people with disabilities, with Marion-Rivard being an actress who actually has Williams syndrome.

Production

Director Louise Archambault said the story was inspired by an intellectually disabled neighbour who shared a swimming pool with her, and required help in the change room. Archambault said her neighbour had a "strong personality." The filmmakers drew the cast of the film from a real life choir for people with disabilities in Montreal, including star Gabrielle Marion-Rivard, who has Williams syndrome and sang in Les Muses.

The filmmakers also sought a man with disabilities to play Martin, but did not feel they could find someone to portray a believable romance with Marion-Rivard, and cast experienced actor Alexandre Landry. Marion-Rivard was anxious about the sex scenes, but credited Landry with making her comfortable.

The film addresses the controversial issue of sexuality and disability. Archambault consulted with producers and financiers on how to portray this in an acceptable way.

Read on Wikipedia · Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Data from Wikidata.

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