Orders (1974 film)
Orders is a 1974 Quebec historical drama film about the incarceration of innocent civilians during the 1970 October Crisis following the War Measures Act enacted by the Canadian government of Pierre Trudeau. It is the second film by director Michel Brault. It features entertainer and Senator Jean Lapointe.
The film was selected as the Canadian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 48th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.
Plot
In October 1970, following terrorist acts and demands by the Front de libération du Québec, the Canadian government adopted the War Measures Act to restore law and order. The Act overrode fundamental rights and privileges enumerated in common law and in the Canadian Bill of Rights. This measure enabled the arbitrary arrest of more than 450 people, against whom no charges were ever laid. Some were held as many as 21 days.The film tells the story of five of incarcerated civilians. The film is scripted, but is inspired by interviews with actual prisoners held during the events.
The film's style is inspired by the Quebec school of Cinéma vérité. It is a docufiction.
Cast
- Hélène Loiselle as Marie Boudreau
- Jean Lapointe as Clermont Boudreau
- Guy Provost as Dr. Jean-Marie Beauchemin
- Claude Gauthier as Richard Lavoie
- Louise Forestier as Claudette Dusseault
- Louise Pratte as Louise Boudreau
- Martine Pratte as Martine Boudreau
- Monique Pratte as Monique Boudreau
- Amulette Garneau as Mrs. Thibault, The Neighbour
- Louise Latraverse as Claire Beauchemin
- Sophie Clément as Ginette Lavoie
- Esther Auger as Esther
- Claire Richard as Mrs. Vezina
- J. Léo Gagnon as The Grocer
- José Rettino as The Foreman
Production
Orders had a budget of $250,000. The prison scenes were shot in colour while the rest of the film was shot in black-and-white.Release
Orders grossed $500,000 during its theatrical run.Awards
It shared a Cannes Film Festival Award in 1975 and four Canadian Film Awards the same year. It was also selected as the Canadian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 48th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee. The film was selected to be screened in the Cannes Classics section of the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.- 1975 Cannes Film Festival, won for Best Director
- 1975 Cannes Film Festival, nominated for Golden Palm
- 1975 Canadian Film Awards, won for Best Feature Film
- 1975 Canadian Film Awards, won for Film of the Year
- 1975 Canadian Film Awards, won for Best Original Script
- 1975 Canadian Film Awards, won for Best Direction
- The Toronto International Film Festival ranked it in the Top 10 [Canadian Films of All Time] four times, in 1984, 1993, 2004 and 2015.