H (1990 film)
Encyclopedia
Plot summary
H is about two heroin addicts, Michele, Pascale MontpetitPascale Montpetit
Pascale Montpetit is a French Canadian actress, born in 1961. In 1990 she won a Best Actress Genie Award for Darrell Wasyk's H and in 2002 for Mario Azzopardi's Savage Messiah, 2 Gémeaux Awards, a Jutra Award and a Mons International Festival of Love Films award. She is also a well-known stage...
and Snake, Martin Neufeld, who struggle to withdraw from the drug. They do it “cold turkey
Cold turkey
"Cold turkey" describes the actions of a person who abruptly gives up a habit or addiction rather than gradually easing the process through gradual reduction or by using replacement medication....
”. Snake nails the apartment door shut: they are determined to come clean. Michele awakens to discover she has been “betrayed” by her lover and is trapped. Barricaded in their apartment, they become each other’s hostage. As the days go by, their resolve ebbs and flows as they dig deeper and deeper into themselves. The hook to heroin addiction is the false sense of immunity to the state at large but as withdrawal starts, this cocooned existence abruptly unravels. Reality sharpens, intensifies, and re-awakens. Sensations flare, as Michele and Snake scrape at the walls, the camera becomes a monitor, never once leaving the apartment. When almost totally withdrawn, Snake discovers a forgotten stash. They are faced with the ultimate question: “Do we really have control over our addictions?”
Production
The movie was shot in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
on a meagre budget of only $25,000. There are only two principal characters in one location.
Cast
- Pascale MontpetitPascale MontpetitPascale Montpetit is a French Canadian actress, born in 1961. In 1990 she won a Best Actress Genie Award for Darrell Wasyk's H and in 2002 for Mario Azzopardi's Savage Messiah, 2 Gémeaux Awards, a Jutra Award and a Mons International Festival of Love Films award. She is also a well-known stage...
- Michele - Martin Neufeld - Snake
- Bruce Beaton - Franco
- Ingrid VeningerIngrid VeningerIngrid Veninger is a Canadian actress and director.Her start in show business was in an advertisement for Bell Canada with Megan Follows at age 11...
- Kathleen
Festivals
- Berlin International Film FestivalBerlin International Film FestivalThe 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...
October 1990. - Montreal World Film FestivalMontreal World Film FestivalThe Montreal World Film Festival , founded in 1977, is one of Canada's oldest international film festivals and the only competitive film festival in North America accredited by the FIAPF...
August 23-September 3, 1990. - Toronto International Film FestivalToronto International Film FestivalThe Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
September 11, 1990. - Vancouver International Film FestivalVancouver International Film FestivalThe Vancouver International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for two weeks in late September and early October...
October 1990. - Independent Feature Film Market, New York City October 2–12, 1990.
- Palm Springs International Film FestivalPalm Springs International Film FestivalPalm Springs International Film Festival is a film festival held in Palm Springs, California. It was started in 1989 and is held annually in January...
January 8–13, 1991. - Cannes Film FestivalCannes Film FestivalThe Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
(market) May 9–20, 1991. - Locarno International Film FestivalLocarno International Film FestivalThe Film Festival Locarno is an international film festival held annually in the city of Locarno, Switzerland since 1946. After Cannes and Venice and together with Karlovy Vary, Locarno is the Film Festival with the longest history...
(competition) August 7–16, 1991.
Awards
At the 1990 Toronto International Film FestivalToronto International Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
, then called the Festival of Festivals, it won the Toronto-City Award for Best Canadian Feature Film, and at Vancouver International Film Festival
Vancouver International Film Festival
The Vancouver International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for two weeks in late September and early October...
it won the Best Canadian Screenplay Award. At the 1991 Locarno International Film Festival
Locarno International Film Festival
The Film Festival Locarno is an international film festival held annually in the city of Locarno, Switzerland since 1946. After Cannes and Venice and together with Karlovy Vary, Locarno is the Film Festival with the longest history...
the film won two prizes, the Leopardo di Bronzo, Terzo premio del Festival, and the 1st prize offered by the Department for Education, Culture & Sport. At the 12th Genie Awards
12th Genie Awards
The 12th annual Genie Awards were held on November 26, 1991, and honoured Canadian films released in 1990. The awards were moved from their previous March date after the disastrous ratings of the previous awards. The format was also changed and the eligible voters reduced to 130. The ceremony was...
Pascale Montpetit
Pascale Montpetit
Pascale Montpetit is a French Canadian actress, born in 1961. In 1990 she won a Best Actress Genie Award for Darrell Wasyk's H and in 2002 for Mario Azzopardi's Savage Messiah, 2 Gémeaux Awards, a Jutra Award and a Mons International Festival of Love Films award. She is also a well-known stage...
won a Best Actress for her portrayal of Michele. It was also nominated for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.