H264, a Montreal-based film distribution and international sales company, has acquired the international rights to “La Portraitiste,” the first narrative feature film written by Florence Longpré, and directed by Annie St-Pierre, her first narrative feature as a director.
It is a period dramedy with touches of magical realism, set in Montreal in 1962. It follows Françoise, who leads a stifling life, dictated by her husband Germain and sanctioned by her aunt Agathe. Françoise is a receptionist at the local police station, where her beloved cousin Gilles patrols, and is unexpectedly asked to sketch the composite of an assailant.
The experience rekindles her passion for drawing and suddenly reveals the contours of her telepathic gift. Françoise’s prophetic intuition draws her into an investigation alongside Sergeant Stevenson, where long-buried family secrets echo her own past.
Carried by a burgeoning love and the discovery of her gift, Françoise comes to understand that every quest inevitably leads back to oneself.
The film is scheduled to begin shooting this spring, with a release planned for 2027.
The film is produced by Roger Frappier at Max Films, who said, “Working with Florence Longpré and Annie St-Pierre feels like having access to a true dream team. Florence brings an extraordinary intelligence and a rare sensitivity to character while Annie’s vision gives the story both depth and direction. Their collaboration gives me absolute confidence that this story will resonate deeply with audiences.”
Longpré first came to public attention with “Like-Moi!” in the role of Gaby Gravel, and later made a strong impression with “Can You Hear Me?” (M’entends-tu?) and “Audrey’s Back” (Audrey est revenue), two critically acclaimed series, on which she also collaborated as a screenwriter. She is also the co-screenwriter of “Le temps des framboises,” a series recognized at several international festivals, including the Berlinale and the Seoul Drama Awards.
In 2025, Longpré unveiled “Empathy” (Empathie), a series she wrote and starred in. It won the Audience Award at Séries Mania prior to its broadcast on Canal+, with a second season in development.
“La Portraitiste” marks Longpré’s first venture into cinema.
St-Pierre directed the documentaries “Fermières” and “Le plein potentiel,” the latter selected at SXSW in 2025. Her short film “Like the Ones I Used to Know” (Les grandes claques) premiered at Sundance and was shortlisted for the Academy Awards in 2021 in the live-action short film category.
Montreal-based Max Films’ credits include “Borderline,” “The Grand Seduction,” “Maelström,” “Jesus of Montreal” and “The Decline of the American Empire.” Its slate also includes the English-language remake “The Grand Seduction” (dir. Don McKellar), “Two Lovers and a Bear” (dir. Kim Nguyen), “Hochelaga,” “Land of Souls” (dir. François Girard), and Jane Campion’s Oscar-winning “The Power of the Dog.” Most recently, Max Films produced “Tell Me Why These Things Are So Beautiful” by Lyne Charlebois.
English (US) ·