Written by Mariane Tremblay
Rumours (2024) is a satirical film co-written and directed by Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, and Galen Johnson. The story centers on the leaders of the world’s seven wealthiest countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States) who gather for the G7 summit hosted by Chancellor Hilda Ortmann (Cate Blanchett), in Germany. What starts as a regular summit takes a surreal turn when the leaders find themselves alone and lost in the woods while drafting their joint statement.
The film sharply criticizes the incompetence of world leaders, exposing their self-centeredness as they fumble through ongoing crises. The purpose of their summit remains vague and chaotic from start to finish, leaving you unsure of what they are even meant to discuss. The more you reflect on this film, the more you realize how unsettlingly close to reality it is - and that’s what makes it truly terrifying. Take, for example, the President of France (Emmanuel Macron) being more concerned about a Netflix show being filmed in Italy rather than Paris, while far more pressing issues unfold in his own country. It's a striking reflection of misplaced priorities and that’s exactly what Rumours is about. Mysterious zombies emerging from the earth, a giant brain lurking in the woods, people dying and setting themselves on fire... whatever, let’s keep drafting a joint statement, that doesn’t mean a thing, to address the nation and save face!
I had the pleasure of attending the North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and at the Montreal premiere at Festival du Nouveau Cinéma. Experiencing this film with a Canadian audience (and a French Canadian audience quite obsessed with Roy Dupuis) was completely thrilling! There's something so special about watching Canadian humor land with its own audience, and those crowds certainly got it – you could hear the audiences burst out laughing throughout the screening making those experiences even more memorable!
The whole cast was fantastic, portraying those fictional (or not so fictional) ridiculous and dysfunctional leaders who just become the stereotypes of each country they represent. Roy Dupuis, Cate Blanchett and Rolando Ravello really stood out as the Prime Minister of Canada, the Chancellor of Germany and Prime Minister of Italy. Dupuis portrays a tortured Prime Minister and gives such a hilarious and unserious performance (FYC Roy Dupuis for best actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy!). Blanchett is just perfect as the dupe version of Angela Merkel (there is just something about Cate Blanchett with a silly German accent in a weird wig) and although Ravello only had a few lines, every time he spoke, he effortlessly brought laughter to the audience. Special mention to POTUS (Charles Dance) and his British accent – that was exquisite.
The set designs were nothing short of mesmerizing. As night fell, the film transported you into a wildly surreal atmosphere - dark and fog-filled, with lighting that shifted from deep reds to eerie greens and purples. Some sequences felt almost dreamlike, blurring the line between reality and fantasy, which caused it all to be completely captivating. Another special mention goes to Kristian Eidnes Andersen for the fantastic score. His music elevated the film, enhancing key scenes and adding layers that made the experience even more immersive!
Rumours hits theaters on October 18, 2024, and you won’t want to miss the chance to experience this film with a full audience!
Mar's Letterboxd Activity for Rumours
Photo credits to Bleecker Street.
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