Amanita Pestilens
Encyclopedia
Amanita Pestilens is a 1963 Canadian film produced by F. R. Crawley
, directed by René Bonnière. It was "the first Canadian feature film to be shot in both English and French with the same set of actors"http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-68-1406-9000/arts_entertainment/film_industry/clip3 and which included an early career performance by Geneviève Bujold
along with performances by Jacques Labrecque and Huguette Oligny.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056824/ This was also the first time a Canadian feature film was produced in colour. It was filmed at Harrington Lake
, Quebec
, Canada
.
The film's script was written by David Walker and initially titled Staircases. Bonnière persuaded Crawley to fund and produce a film based on this script. The new title, Amanita Pestilens, meant "Poisoned Love".
suburbanite who becomes obsessed with his award-winning lawn which has been infested with a ground fungus. His neighbour across the street identifies the species as Amanita pestilens (not a real species, although Amanita
is a real genus). The mushrooms prove impossible to eradicate, and the homeowner directs all his efforts to getting rid of them, to the exclusion of all else. His obsession very nearly destroys his life and leads to a deadly confrontation with his neighbour. A surprise ending, however, gives the viewer hope that the main character will see the error of his ways.
in 1965 and broadcast on West German television and also broadcast into East Germany. Despite the innovations of its bilingual, colour production, Amanita Pestilens was a commercial failure.
There is no known video release although the film was shown on Moviepix (Mpix)
on 10 May 1998.
F. R. Crawley
Frank Radford "Budge" Crawley, OC was an Academy Award winning film producer from Canada.-Career:Crawley was known for making avant-garde films with his wife Judith Crawley...
, directed by René Bonnière. It was "the first Canadian feature film to be shot in both English and French with the same set of actors"http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-68-1406-9000/arts_entertainment/film_industry/clip3 and which included an early career performance by Geneviève Bujold
Geneviève Bujold
Geneviève Bujold is a Canadian actress best known for her portrayal of Anne Boleyn in the 1969 film Anne of the Thousand Days, for which she won a Golden Globe Award for best actress and was nominated for an Academy Award....
along with performances by Jacques Labrecque and Huguette Oligny.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056824/ This was also the first time a Canadian feature film was produced in colour. It was filmed at Harrington Lake
Harrington Lake
Harrington Lake estate is the name of the official country retreat of the Prime Minister of Canada and also the name of the land which surrounds it. It is located near Meech Lake where the Meech Lake Accord was negotiated in 1987approximately 35 kilometers northwest of Ottawa, in an area known as...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The film's script was written by David Walker and initially titled Staircases. Bonnière persuaded Crawley to fund and produce a film based on this script. The new title, Amanita Pestilens, meant "Poisoned Love".
Plot
The plot concerns a MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
suburbanite who becomes obsessed with his award-winning lawn which has been infested with a ground fungus. His neighbour across the street identifies the species as Amanita pestilens (not a real species, although Amanita
Amanita
The genus Amanita contains about 600 species of agarics including some of the most toxic known mushrooms found worldwide. This genus is responsible for approximately 95% of the fatalities resulting from mushroom poisoning, with the death cap accounting for about 50% on its own...
is a real genus). The mushrooms prove impossible to eradicate, and the homeowner directs all his efforts to getting rid of them, to the exclusion of all else. His obsession very nearly destroys his life and leads to a deadly confrontation with his neighbour. A surprise ending, however, gives the viewer hope that the main character will see the error of his ways.
Release
The film was screened at the Berlin International Film FestivalBerlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
in 1965 and broadcast on West German television and also broadcast into East Germany. Despite the innovations of its bilingual, colour production, Amanita Pestilens was a commercial failure.
There is no known video release although the film was shown on Moviepix (Mpix)
The Movie Network
The Movie Network is a Canadian English language Category A premium television service, owned by Astral Media. The service is licensed to operate east of the Ontario-Manitoba border, excluding the territories...
on 10 May 1998.
Cast
- Jacques Labrecque as Henri Martin
- Huguette OlignyHuguette OlignyHuguette Oligny, is a Canadian actor.She married Gratien Gélinas, a great pioneer of Quebec theater, in 1973.In 1984 she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 1996. In 1999 she was made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec.-External links:...
as Louise Martin - Geneviève BujoldGeneviève BujoldGeneviève Bujold is a Canadian actress best known for her portrayal of Anne Boleyn in the 1969 film Anne of the Thousand Days, for which she won a Golden Globe Award for best actress and was nominated for an Academy Award....
as Sophie Martin - Benoît Girard as Simon
- Blake James as Cram
- Jean-Louis MilletteJean-Louis MilletteJean-Louis Millette was a French-speaking Quebec actor and writer.Millette's television career spans over thirty years: he was a cast member of many of the best-known series in Quebec, including the children's series La Ribouldingue , L'Héritage, Symphorien and Montréal P.Q. Jean-Louis Millette...
as Bank manager - Julien Lippé as Thunder Sr.
- Gabriel Vigneault
- Pierre Baron
- Denise BombardierDenise BombardierDenise Bombardier, CQ is an esteemed yet controversial journalist, novelist, essayist, producer, and media personality who worked for the French-language television station Radio Canada for over 30 years....
- Georges Cortez as Striptease club manager
- Ronald France as Neighbour
- J. Léo Gagnon as Neighbour
- Gisèle
- Juliette Huot