Director

Denys Arcand

1941

Who they are

Born: 25 June 1941, Deschambault, Quebec, Canada
Known for: Réjeanne Padovani, The Decline of the American Empire, Jesus of Montreal

Denys Arcand is a Quebec filmmaker, born in 1941, known for sharp, literate dramas about politics, religion, sexuality and modern urban life. His trilogy-spanning works, beginning with The Decline of the American Empire, made him Canada's best-known French-language director. The Barbarian Invasions won him an Oscar.

Where to start

Réjeanne Padovani (1973)Log in to add it to the library
A bitter drama of political corruption and class that established him as a major voice in Quebec cinema.
The Decline of the American Empire (1986)In the library
His international breakthrough, a talky ensemble film about friends, sex and intellectual disillusion.
Jesus of Montreal (1989)In the library
Acclaimed modern Passion story about actors staging a play, which won a Cannes jury prize.
The Barbarian Invasions (2003)Full guide
Sequel to Decline that won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
The Fall of the American Empire (2018)Log in to add it to the library
A later crime comedy-drama on money and inequality, using the title of his earlier landmark.

Their films in the library

Awards

1986 Cannes FIPRESCI Prize, The Decline of the American Empire
1989 Cannes Jury Prize, Jesus of Montreal
2003 Cannes Best Screenplay, The Barbarian Invasions
2004 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, The Barbarian Invasions

The full list · 56

1959East of EatonLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1962Alone or with OthersLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1964Québec 1603 - Samuel de ChamplainLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1964ChamplainLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1965Montréal un jour d'étéLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1965Ville-MarieLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1965The Road to the WestLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1966VolleyballLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1967Atlantic ParksLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1967Nominingue... depuis qu'il existeLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1968C'est pas la faute à Jacques CartierLog in to add it to the libraryActor as (uncredited)
1970Cotton Mill, TreadmillLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1971Mon oeilLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1972Dirty MoneyLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Un détective · Director
1972Quebec: Duplessis and After...Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Narrator · Director
1973Réjeanne PadovaniLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Sam Tannebaum's Bodyguard (uncredited) · Director
1973Pigs Are Seldom CleanLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Rocket
1975GinaLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1975La Tête de Normande St-OngeLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Jean-Paul
1976The Struggle of Hospital WorkersLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1982Comfort and IndifferenceLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1984The Crime of Ovide PlouffeLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1985Cinéma, cinémaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1986The Decline of the American EmpireLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1987Night ZooLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Man at peep-show
1989Jesus of MontrealLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Juge · Director
1989The Magical EyeLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1991Montreal StoriesLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Denys Arcand · Director
1991Letters of a Portuguese NunLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1992LéoloLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Director
1992The Black SheepLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1994Love & Human RemainsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1996Poverty and Other DelightsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2000StardomLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2003The Barbarian InvasionsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Unionist (uncredited) · Director
2003Les héritiers du mouton noirLog in to add it to the libraryActor
2004Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic PsycheLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2005Shooting StarLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Propriétaire du bar
2006Rebels with a CameraLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2007Days of DarknessLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2007Achieving the UnachievableLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2009From Office to Box-OfficeLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Denys Arcand
2010Barney's VersionLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Maitre'D at Ritz
2011The Private Life of CinemaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as self
2014An Eye for BeautyLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2016Kiss Me With All Your LoveLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Édouard Montpetit
2016Stealing AliceLog in to add it to the libraryActor
2016Burghers of VancouverLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2017Le prix du paradisLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Narrator
2018The Fall of the American EmpireLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2018Le cri du rhinocérosLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2019Forgotten FlowersLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Captain
2023TestamentLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2024Good MenLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2024At the End of Nothing at AllLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2025À la lumière du soirLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self

Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.