Montreal film Antigone borrows from Greek tragedy, death of Fredy Villanueva

Written in fifth centuryBC, Sophocles' play Antigone is one of the great Greek tragedies, right up there withOedipus Rex and Euripides'Medea.

Roughly, it tells the story of a young woman who defies the laws of the land out of loyalty to her family.

She goes against an order from the king to bury the body of her brother and perform funeral rites for him, payingthe ultimate price for her defiance.

ForQuebec writer-director Sophie Deraspe, it is astory that still has a place in contemporary culture.

"It's a story about dignity, resistance," saidDeraspe. "It's tragic because there's no way she can win against the system. The story spoketo me so much."

Deraspenot only wrote and directed heradaptation of the Greek tragedy, but she also served as casting director, editor anddirector of photography. Oh, and sheplayedpiano inthe filmscore.

"When I first read Antigone, [I found] it's a tragedy, but it was also souplifting. That's what I wanted to bring with my contemporary translation of the story," she told CBC's All in a Weekend.

"Ihad Antigone in the back of my head and a little place in my heart for many years."

Villanueva shooting 'the spark'

InDeraspe's film, the main character of Antigone is a teenagegirl whose family came to Montreal as refugees when she just a toddler.

"Tragedy hits her family when one of her brothers is gunned down by the police, and the other one is [arrested and] threatened with deportation," explained Deraspe.

"So her normal student life with teenager aspirations nothing counts anymore for her. Her only goal now is to keep her family together."

Deraspe said she was inspired by an interview she heard years ago with the sister ofFredy Villanueva.

Villanueva, 18, was shot and killed on Aug. 9, 2008by Montreal police Const.Jean-LoupLapointe, after the young man was caughtplaying an illegal game of dice with his brother and three friends inHenri-BourassaPark.

Deraspe described this moment as thespark that led her to pursue a retelling of this ancientstory.

In thefilm, Antigone tries to helpher surviving brother, a low-level drug dealer, break out of jail and ends up getting caught herself.

She befriends other young women in youth detention and sparks a protest movement in the community as news of her incarceration spreads.

In Sophocles' original play, Antigone is imprisoned for her actions and ends up takingher own life, as does herfianc, the king's son.

Without spoilingthe film's ending,Deraspe's adaptation is decidedlyless bloody in its culmination.

Canada's Oscar entry

In September, ahead of the film's theatrical release, Telefilm Canada announcedAntigoneis this year's Canadian entryfor Best International Feature Film at the 2020 Academy Awards.

It is competingagainst dozens of other films for a nomination in the category, previously known as best foreign-language film.

Nahma Ricci, the Montrealactress who plays thetitle role in Antigone, said slipping into the role of "such a strong female character that has such integrity" was an unforgettable experience.

For Ricci, the prospect of the French-language filmbeing tapped for an Oscar nomination is awe-inducing.

"I've watched Oscar speeches since I'm a kid. So in the imaginary, it's really something," she said.

Riccisaida major nomination wouldmean a wider audience for the film outside of Quebec.

"In Trump's America, if this film could be seen and chosen, I think it could be great."

Antigonehittheatres in Quebec on Nov. 6. A short list of 10 films in the running for the 2020 Oscars will be unveiled Dec. 16, and the chosen five official nominees will be announced on Jan.13.