La vie heureuse de Léopold Z (The Merry World of Léopold Z)
On Christmas Eve, a snow plow operator (Guy L’Ecuyer) in Montreal is suddenly called upon to work in an unexpected snowstorm which becomes a problem as he has not finished his Christmas shopping. Determined to get all his gifts while continuing to clear the roads, Léopold has a series of comedic misadventures that become increasingly ridiculous as his time begins to run short.
Originally commissioned as an NFB documentary about snow clearing, director Gilles Carle creatively reframed it as a narrative film to create a unique blend of documentary and direct cinema that also cheekily comments on contemporary social and political issues. It won the Best Feature prize at the 1965 Montreal International Film Festival.
Director
Gilles Carle
An Officer of the Order of Canada, Carle was an important figure in Quebec cinema whose work includes shorts and features, documentaries, and television. His credits include the classics La vie hereuse de Léopold Z, Les Plouffe, La Vraie nature de Bernadette, and Maria Chapdelaine. Carle was a Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec and a Knight in France’s Légion d'honneur. He also received a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement.
Writer
Gilles Carle
Cast
Guy L'Écuyer, Paul Hébert, Suzanne Valéry
Producer
Jacques Bobet
Genre
Comedy
Interest
Classics
Original Language
French