The mission of the Centre d'art et essai de la Cinémathèque québécoise (CAECQ) is to primary program Quebec-made documentaries and independent fiction, as well as international documentaries, animated and foreign films, while encouraging opportunities for meetings between the public and the artists. Its programming is presented in conjunction with the Cinémathèque québécoise’s under the label New releases.
Special free screening (on reservation) for the National Canadian Film Day in the presence of Serge Giguère
Closing film, RVQC 2025
Maurice portrays the legendary #9 of the Montreal Canadiens in an entirely new light. Using never-before-seen footage shot over four decades, this documentary offers exclusive access to Maurice “Rocket” Richard and reveals the man behind the myth. Initially conceived by Serge Giguère and Robert Tremblay, who passed away before completing the project, Maurice paints an intimate and authentic portrait of an icon of Québec culture who championed francophone identity with the same passion he brought to the ice. More than a hockey player, he embodies the perseverance and hope of a people, forever marking Quebec culture.
Serge Giguère
Resolutely humanist, Serge Giguère’s cinema offers intimate journeys where reality and imagination intertwine to open up the secret dimension that connects us to one another. He was the recipient of the Governor General’s Award (2008) and the Albert-Tessier Award (2021). Starting as an assistant cameraman for master documentarians Pierre Perrault and Arthur Lamothe, he then founded Les films d’aventures sociales du Québec in 1974 with Robert Tremblay and they co-directed three films together, including Belle famille (1978). Giguère then joined forces with Sylvie Van Brabant to create Les Productions du Rapide-Blanc in 1984, where he directed most of his films, including Oscar Thiffault, The King of Drums and My Mother’s Letters. Driven By Dreams (2007) (Special Jury Award Best Canadian Documentary, Hot Docs 2007) along with Finding MacPherson (2015) both earned a Jutra Award for Best Quebec Documentary. Serge Giguère is one of Quebec’s most important documentary filmmakers of the last few decades.
