Tectonic Plates

Synopsis
Experimental film based on Robert Lepage’s 1988 stage play which explores the notion that human interaction is as volatile and as unpredictable as the shifting of the Earth. Madeleine (Marie Gignac) is an art student studying in Montreal who has fallen in love with her professor, Jacques (Lepage). One day he disappears and, fearing that he left because she was undeserving of his love, Madeleine travels to Venice to kill herself. While preparing to commit suicide, she encounters drug addict Constance (Celine Bonnier), who causes Madeleine to reconsider her decision. Meanwhile, Jacques has moved to New York City, where he starts cross-dressing, calls himself Jennifer, and becomes a successful counter-culture talk show host. Locations include Paris, Venice, Montreal, Manhattan and Scotland, supporting characters that include a topless goddess and a deaf/mute, and cultural references pointing to Chopin, George Sand, Jim Morrison, Oprah Winfrey and Shakespeare’s Ophelia.
Language
English
Country
Canada
Medium
Film; Television
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Year of release
1992
Transmission details
2 Jan 1993 at 22:25 (Channel: Channel Four)
Duration
95 mins

Credits

Director
Peter Mettler
Producer
Debra Hauer; Niv Fichman
Cinematographer
Miroslaw Baszak
Writer
Robert Lepage
Cast
Bonnier. CelineConstance
Marie GignacMadeleine
Robert LepageJacques/Jennifer

Additional Details

Production type
Fiction Films
Plays
Hamlet
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes
Spoken in English and French
The BFI National Archive holds a copy acquired as an off-air recording from the Channel 4 transmission.
History
The film opened in Canada in 1992 but was never released in the USA.

Production Company

Name

Hauer Rawlence Productions

Phone
020 7493 1022
Address
5 Fenley Place
London W1R

Archive

Name

BFI National Archive

Web
http://www.bfi.org.uk/archive-collections/searching-access-collections/research-viewing-services External site opens in new window
Phone
020 7255 1444
Fax
020 7436 0165
Address
21 Stephen Street
London
W1T 1LN
Name

Library and Archives Canada

Web
http://www.collectionscanada.ca External site opens in new window
Phone
(613) 996-5115
Fax
(613) 996-6274
Address
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa
ON K11 ON4
Canada

How to cite this record

Shakespeare, "Tectonic Plates". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av71095 (Accessed 12 Nov 2024)