THE IFI OPERATES A FILM CLUB FOR OLDER PEOPLE—CALLED ‘WILD STRAWBERRIES’ AFTER THE INGMAR BERGMAN FILM—SCREENING A FREE MOVIE EVERY MONTH.
Seducing Doctor Lewis is a beguiling story of a ragtag fishing community on a tiny, impoverished island who must persuade a young Montreal-based doctor (David Boutin) to live in their town in order to get a much-needed new factory. Over a one-month trial period, the villagers try to satisfy his every need and convince him that their town offers all the charms of a thriving metropolis. Led by their mayor, Germain Lesage (Raymond Bouchard), the villagers rise to the challenge with good-hearted duplicity. However, as their deception continues, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain. The directorial debut of Jean-François Pouliot, Seducing Doctor Lewis has the rare distinction of being selected for Sundance, Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals. In French Canada, it grossed over eight million dollars, topping even The Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean.