A psychologically demanding shoot

The year of Roy Dupuis? The two years of Roy Dupuis? Our prediction: at the 8^th Jutras, next year, the actor will win the award for Best Actor! In 2005 he walked off with it for Mémoires affectives, and in 2006 he’ll land it for Manners of Dying. The original English version of this brilliant Quebecois feature film is released this Friday (25 February), while the French version will hit our screens on 4^th March. All Roy Dupuis’ talent bursts forth in this one; and his opposite number Serge Houde is just as true to life. After watching Manners of Dying you are thoughtful, stunned, and sure that you have experienced a great moment in world cinema.

And as far as his prize for Mémoires affectives is concerned, you should have seen Roy and his girlfriend Céline Bonnier kissing in the press room on the evening of the Jutra ceremony after his victory … the look on his face and his smile were witness to his delight and satisfaction.

Roy, in Manners of Dying, you play a man who is condemned to death. What work did you have to do to prepare for this role?

Briefly, for me it was the most intense work – emotionally, physically and psychologically – I have ever done. Because it also has to be said that I had to film indoors for two intensive weeks. The film was shot in Quebec City, at Gomin House, a former women’s prison. So, I was in Quebec, I was in solitary confinement. I went from the set to my hotel room, and that was just about all I could do. It was a role that I couldn’t really shrug off when I went back in the evening.

Did you take the act as far as having no contact at all with Montreal?

It was done all on my own.  I never questioned it. I don’t think I phoned Montreal very often during that time.

What do you do with your time when you’re not working or not busy with your Foundation (Roy Dupuis is one of the founders of the Rivers Foundation which advocates in particular the use of wind power)?

I still have my sailing project (he is planning a very long trip around the world which he will undertake in a few years time with his sweetheart). I’m busy building my boat. I should be able to put her in the water this summer.

How much money have you put into the modifications to your boat so far?

It’s not so dear if you do most of the work. And I didn’t start off with a new boat either. I found one that had been involved in an accident, and I’ve repaired it. You learn more because you rebuild the boat almost on your own.