By Valerie Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 2/22/24 – Director Vincent René-Lortie pays a tribute to the memory of Marc-Antoine Bernier in a compelling short film that delves into the fervent pursuit of freedom and the extreme lengths one is willing to go to attain it. Adoringly titled Invincible, this emotionally charged short film has not only garnered critical acclaim but has also earned a spot in the consideration for the 2024 OSCARS®. Through the lens of Invincible, the director grapples with the dark and tragic abyss surrounding Marc’s life and decisions, as well as recalling the moments of joy his dear friend experienced, offering a profound understanding of not only the individual but also the broader spectrum of mental health and behavioral challenges faced by teenagers on a daily basis.
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Viewers are invited into the inner world of a complex young man in Invincible. The lead role played by Léokim Beaumier-Lépine makes easy work of seamlessly illustrating moments of softness and joy, when the world was nothing short of callous against him. Writer/Director Vincent Rene’-Lortie states, “What I remember from my friend were all moments of joy, friendship, love, and empathy. I know it’s a very dark story; it’s a story that viewers know from the beginning that this character is going to die. Throughout the film, in order to understand, I wanted to highlight how much love that person had to give to his family and to his friends; how much empathy he had. Like the scene with the sprinklers, it was a moment for him where he felt like he could finally breathe. He did not care about the consequences; he liked to do things right then and there. That was his biggest quality that simultaneously worked against him.”
Along with holding interviews and conversations with family, Rene`-Lortie visited juvenile centers to ensure that the research was correct and robust. The director describes, “This story really stayed with me until about 5 or 6 years ago. It was always in my head; I knew something was not clear about it. During research discussions with Marc’s father, it was revealed that his death could have been a suicide. This idea that his death was not an accident, and that it could have been a bit more complicated than that made me realize for the first time that I didn’t really know my friend. I think my friend had a lot of issues and a lot of pain inside that I couldn’t have understood at 14 years old.”
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ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINATED
– Best Live Action Short Film –
