SOPHIE DUPUIS

“Solo”

With three features under her belt, the first of which (“Family First”) was selected as Canada’s 2018 Oscar submission for international film, writer-director Dupuis hasn’t let the pressure of critical acclaim get to her. “If I think about that [while] making my film, it’s gonna be not essential interference in my head,” says Dupuis. “I don’t see the importance of giving attention to that.”

It was Dupuis’ well-researched fascination with toxic relationships that led her to “Solo,” a love story about a drag artist (Théodore Pellerin) whose light is dimmed after he begins dating a fellow performer (Félix Maritaud), just as his estranged mother (Anne-marie Cadieux) arrives in town. “When I was a teenager, I was thinking about becoming a psychologist,” she says. “I did therapy for myself, but also to get to know everything about human psychology.”

Dupuis was passionate about setting this character-driven story in the drag world, which gave its fantasy elements a visually arresting vibrancy. “I like to make natural, realistic movies, but on the stage, I wanted to glamourize this form of art.” She continues: “They’re making humor for queer people, and they’re making something important for the community. The message behind the art, we need that in our society right now — getting the drama out of that question about gender, just living and having fun.”

Dupuis says her priority in life is filmmaking. “It’s what brings me more joy in life than anything I’ve ever experienced. I haven’t found that beauty and joy anywhere else yet.”

The Quebecois talent lives by the advice she often gives to the cinema students who see her films: “Give the opportunity to your audience to see the world through your eyes for an hour and a half. If you’re thinking too much or changing to please people, you’re not giving them this experience.”

— Courtney Howard

Reps: Management: Black Bear Pictures

Influences: Justin Kurzel, Baz Luhrmann, Robin Campillo, Sean Baker, Martin Scorsese