Trilogy

TRILOGY (OR'D'UR, BETSY, AMOUR IMPOSSIBLE)

Compilation of three short Docu-Dramas, Total Length 89:00 min, 1983, 1984, 1986, 16mm, B&W/colour, NTSC.

Synopsis

OR'D'UR

1983, Canada, Color, 16mm, 41 min. Docu-drama

The title is a play on the French word for garbage, “ordure”. It is an experimental piece of work which brings to light inherent problems with documentary film, not to mention the language of a few prostitutes. A group of rowdy Montreal boys live under the wing of a tough matron-mama (Claire Nadon) who runs her house like a youth hostel. An ironic twist on cinema verité.

“OR'D'UR.. a gritty, realistic look at male prostitution and sexual assault...an audacious, thought provoking work...one which raises important questions about the documentary idiom.”
James Adams, Cinema Canada

JURY PRIZE, CANADIAN STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL 1984

BETSY

1984, Canada, Color, 16mm, 26 min. Comedy

A camp comedy of social mores. Right before her operation, a transsexual announces to her boss, mother and the world that her intention is to marry her straight lover Maurice during a meeting that her whiny, suburban in-laws will never forget.

“...identification with the milieu...warmhearted...lasting humour...”
Tom Waugh, The Body Politic

JURY PRIZE, CANADIAN STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL 1984

AMOUR IMPOSSIBLE

1986, Canada, Color/B&W, 16mm, 22 min. Docu-fiction

Transsexuals? Transvestites? Skinheads? Anarchy? Street life, hustling and drag are explored with sophistication, emotional resonance and that certain extra something that'll make you want to change the impossible to the incredible.

“ ...moving...dream-like, yearned love...”
Michel Beauchamp, 24 Images

Cast & Crew

OR'D'UR (PART 1)

STARRING : CLAIRE NADON, JOHN WIMBS
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY : STEPHEN REIZES
SOUND : ANDREW KOSTER
EDITORS : BASHAR SHBIB
MUSIC : LAURIE ANDERSON, CONDITION, ERIC LAGACÉ, DIANE DULUDE
WRITTER, EDITOR, DIRECTOR : BASHAR SHBIB
WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF : CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY and THE NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA

BETSY (PART 2)

STARRING : JOHN WIMBS, CLAUDE BLANCHARD
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY : STEPHEN REIZES
EDITED BY : STEPHEN REIZES, ANDREW KOSTER
SOUND : ANDREW KOSTER
PIANO : LUDWIG SEMERJIAN
WRITTER, PRODUCTOR, DIRECTOR : BASHAR SHBIB
WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF : CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY and THE NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA

AMOUR IMPOSSIBLE (PART 3)

STARRING : MICHELLE DEVILLE, MICHEL OICLE, JEAN-CLAUDE BUSTROS, ERIKA HAGENLOCHER
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY : STEPHEN REIZES
EDITOR : DENYSE OSTIGUY
SOUND : ANDREW KOSTER
MUSIC : DIMITRI SHOSTAKOVITCH
WRITTER AND DIRECTOR : BASHAR SHBIB

WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF : CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY and THE NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA'S FILMMAKER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM and CANADA COUNCIL EXPLORATIONS