How Montreal's Festival du nouveau cinma secured Blade Runner 2049

When Denis Villeneuvelearnedhis sequel to neo-noir and sci-fi film Blade Runner would be released at the same time that the Festival dunouveau cinma was running, he fought to bring the movie back to his home province.

"I was stubborn," the Quebec director said. "I pushed hard to get it."

Blade Runner 2049 is being screened at Montreal'sindependent festival tonight, a day after the follow-up toRidley Scott's 1982 original premieredin Los Angeles.

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The Festival dunouveaucinma prides itself on having brought low-key, artistically drivenfilms from around the world to Montrealers since the 1970s.

It also served asa launch padfor Villeneuve's early films, helping to elevatethe directorfrom Quebec's niche cinema scene to the lofty place he now occupies in Hollywood.

"It's a film festival that's very close to my heart and participated in a lot of my cinema education,"said Villeneuve.

Putting Montreal on the map

At first, Villeneuve reluctantly accepted that his version of Blade Runner would not be shown at any film festival,from TIFF to Venice.

"It was forbidden, it's a 'no,'" he said, referring to the studio. "That was a battle Ilost."

While Villeneuvedidn't divulge how long it took to bring his filmhome nor the nature of negotiations,the festival's director admitted it took several months, beginning lastApril.

"It was a lot of ping-pong with the studio, with Denis,"Nicolas Girard Deltructold The Canadian Press. "I think the festival is very important for him."

As a result of Villeneuve's steadfast resolve, the Festival du nouveau cinma is the only film festival in the world that was granted authorization to screen the highly anticipated Blade Runner.

Arthouse qualities in a blockbuster world

While his latest workis a mega-production complete with a star-studded cast,Villeneuve is confident it will fit right in at the fesitval.

He's also called it his best film yet.

"Honestly, it's an honour for me to present my movie there because it's really a film festival that's designed for art-house," he said. "AndIlike to think that my movie has some art-house qualities even in the blockbuster world."

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"It's the kind of cinema that inspires me as a filmmaker so I owe them a lot," he said.

Blade Runner 2049 will screen at the Theatre Maisonneuveat Montreal's Place des arts tonight.