Aggressiveness exhibited by Fernand Dansereau during the film "Under the Cover of Night"
Fernand Dansereau's Last Hurrah: 'At the Light of Evening' – a Reflection on Life, Love, and Questioning the Divine
At 97, the acclaimed filmmaker Fernand Dansereau releases 'At the Light of Evening', the final piece of a trilogy about aging. As he receives me at his humble home, an abandoned former religious site serves as a stark backdrop. Despite the decay, mature apple trees remain, a poignant symbol of endurance. "Somebody should take care of these trees," he sighs, echoing his thoughts on life – thoughtful action matters.
Dansereau's greatest joy lies in creating, whether as a filmmaker, painter, or calling a friend. He believes that the creative act, no matter how small, cultivates joy. For him, old age equates to a cultivation of love – first self-love, then love for others. In this belief, old age doesn't have to be a shipwreck, he reassures.
The Haunting Question: Faith vs. Institution
Does Dansereau grapple with religion and faith? On the surface, no. Yet, he admits it to be a significant theme in his work, featuring his grandchildren, as well as famous actors like Denys Arcand, Marcel Sabourin, and Micheline Lanctôt. Living in privilege, they share their perspectives on aging.
However, Dansereau advocates for secularism, believing that the survival of Quebec's French language depends on Quebecers themselves, not religious institutions. While he expresses a slight wariness of the dogmatic resemblance of God to an authoritarian father figure, he reserves a particular rage for excessive institutionalization of faith.
The Rage: A Personal Story
Dansereau's rage stems from a troubling experience during his education in a Catholic college. His spiritual director imposed an unbearable spiritual burden on him, accusing him of belonging to the Catholic hierarchy. When Dansereau found an escape in a pretend infatuation with a girl, the director punished him, reinforcing a lifelong mistrust.
His eventual return to faith came through his first wife and contact with the Catholic Student Youth, especially Gérard Pelletier, a future co-founder of the Cité libre review. Dansereau's perspective on faith, then and now, seems to be one of personal introspection, human connections, and a disdain for controlling institutions.
Taking Action: A Life's Work
For Dansereau, doing something meaningful – be it making art or standing up for labor rights – is essential. He went from being a journalist at Le Devoir to producing revolutionary films like Pour la suite du monde. Despite professional setbacks like being fired for union activism, Dansereau’s spirit remains undeterred, always aiming to create a new world with ideas, ideals, and character.
Behind Dansereau’s house, the apple trees anticipate another round of blossoms, symbolizing a promise of fruitful visions and actions to come. His final work, 'At the Light of Evening', is set to release in theaters on May 9, shining a light on Dansereau’s enduring legacy as a creative force, humanist, and unapologetic truth-teller.
- In his final project, 'At the Light of Evening', French filmmaker Fernand Dansereau reflects on personal growth, relationships, and career development.
- Dansereau finds joy in various creative pursuits, such as painting, filmmaking, and maintaining connections with friends in the French-speaking world.
- The story of 'At the Light of Evening' also delves into food and drink, home and garden, as it unfolds in a former religious site that now serves as Dansereau's home.
- Some critics argue that Dansereau's work, including his trilogy, touches upon fashion-and-beauty and entertainment, with famous celebrities like Denys Arcand, Marcel Sabourin, and Micheline Lanctôt featured in his films.
- In an interesting twist, Dansereau expresses a strong disdain for over-institutionalization of faith, often juxtaposing this with his belief in personal-growth and education-and-self-development.
- His history with faith is complex, with experiences that included being spiritually burdened in a Catholic college and finding solace in human connections later on.
- Travels and journeys both literal and metaphorical likely influence Dansereau's work, as he strives to question the divine and understand the complexities of human existence.
- Beyond his artistic endeavors, Dansereau has been a vocal advocate for labor rights and stands as an unwavering truth-teller in the realm of pop-culture.
- Bookworms will appreciate Dansereau'sFinal work, as it promises to delve into thought-provoking themes like life, love, and the delicate balance between faith and institution, providing intelligent discussion material for audiences everywhere.
