Opening Night of the Zlin Festival Was Featured the World Premiere of the Canadian Film Billie Blue
Guests at the opening night of the 63rd Zlín Film Festival were the first audience to see the new Canadian film Billie Blue, directed by Mariloup Wolfe. On Thursday, June 1, a delegation of female filmmakers came to Zlín to introduce the film, including the author of the book and screenplay Sarah-Maude Beauchesne and the lead actress Lilliane Skelly.
This summer story about romantic first love is included in the festival's Beyond the Childhood Horizon section. In addition to the premiere screening, there will be further screenings of the film in the festival schedule: once on Friday, June 2 and twice on Tuesday, June 6. Film fans will have the opportunity to meet the Canadian filmmakers before opening night; they took part in a moderated show on the Red Carpet in the Congress Centre courtyard on Thursday.
At the age of 16, the main character Billie is trying to catch up with her peers - whether it's love, height (her growth spurt has stopped at 180 cm), or her first period. As summer begins, Billie, along with her best friends and super-perfect older sister Annette, is ready to soak up some experience as a lifeguard at a water park. The turning point, however, comes when the two sisters fall in love with Pierre, a talented local racing cyclist. A heartwarming love triangle ensues as Billie searches for her place in the sun and fights for the love she deserves.
The film will be screened in Canadian cinemas from June 16.
Delegation:
Mariloup Wolfe (director)
A Canadian actress and director, she studied film at Concordia University in Montreal. She’s had numerous roles in TV series and films. Among the TV series she has directed are Hubert & Fanny (2018) and Mon Fils (2020), and her feature films include Arlette (2022) and Billie Blue (Coeur de slush, 2023).
Sarah-MaudeBeauchesne (book author and screenwriter)
A screenwriter and actress, she written and acted in the TV series Fourchette and she took part in the screenplay for the short film Manon Loves Hockey.
Liliane Skelly (actress)
Apart from a role in a TV series, this is her acting debut.