87 minutes – Drama
Language: French
Release date: September 15, 2000
Canadian distributor: Alliance Atlantis

Yes, it is true, the main story of this film is narrated by a fish. A fish spawned in primordial waters from the beginnings of the Earth. During one rainy summer night, 25-year-old Bibiane Champagne hits a man with her car. The victim, a 53-year-old fishmonger, whom Bibiane abandons on the street, manages to get back home to die peacefully in his kitchen. Bibiane’s life descends into chaos. Just as she risks her life to erase all proof of her actions, she emerges from the waters of the river, given a second chance. The dialogue between life and death, earth and water, reaches its harmonious conclusion when Bibiane meets the person who will alter her destiny. Interviewed in the October 12 issue of the Toronto publication, Eye Weekly, director Denis Villeneuve is quoted as saying “I wanted to make a very crude film with an ultra-realistic universe, to be as authenic as possible. At the same time, I wanted to have a mystical world just nearby. So the fish very quickly came into place.”

Maelström won five of its 10 nominations at the 21st Genie Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay.

Also see: Denis Villeneuve’s Maelström: Much Ado About A Fish