"Elles étaient cinq" to open the Montreal World Film Festival

"Elles étaient cinq" ("They Were Five") directed by Ghyslaine Côté will have its world première on opening night of the 2004 Montreal World Film Festival, it was announced today. Produced by Maxime Rémillard of Remstar Productions and Richard Lalonde of Forum Films, and distributed by Alliance Atlantis Vivafilm, Elles étaient cinq will open the MWFF's World Competition on August 26.

Starring Jacynthe Lagüe, Julie Deslauriers, Ingrid Falaise, Brigitte Lafleur and Noémie Yelle, "Elles étaient cinq" is Ms. Côté's second feature film. A graduate of Concordia University's film program, she has scripted several short films for young audiences, and her short "Pendant ce temps" was nominated for a Prix Jutra and a Genie award in 1998. In 1999 Ghyslaine Côté directed the feature "Pin-Pon", which was nominated for two Jutras.

A psychological drama, "Elles étaient cinq" tells the story of Manon Cloutier, a woman in her early thirties, who is about to embark on a romantic relationship with a work colleague when a shocking incident forces her to relive a tragedy that occured 15 years earlier. Manon must revisit the scene of the tragedy with her friends before she can finally turn that dark page of her life.

The Montreal World Film Festival's 28th edition runs from August 26 to September 6. "Elles étaient cinq" will open in Quebec theatres on August 27.