Roussil, or The Curious Destiny of an Impenitent Anarchist
The filmmaker and documentarian Werner Wolkmer sadly passed away in 2020. At the turn of the 2000s, his portraits of sculptor artists (Roussil and Louis Archambault) left a lasting impression. He also directed several films reflecting his humanistic and social concerns. We pay tribute to him.
Robert Roussil was a legendary figure on the Quebec art scene. In 1949, he caused a scandal with his sculpture La Famille. In 1956, after virulently condemning what he saw as the ossified nature of Quebec society, he exiled himself to France. Today, aged 76, he continues to live in Tourettes-sur-Loup, his refuge from the world, more alone and misunderstood than ever. This documentary uncovers the man behind the artist and attempts to shed light on the "mystery" of Robert Roussil.
Werner Volkmer
Born in 1944 in Haan, Germany, Werner Volkmer studied advertising, design, photography, and communications at the Hochschule für Gestaltung in Kassel. He immigrated to Quebec in 1970. After working for several years as an art director in advertising agencies in Europe and Montreal, he co-founded the production company Aquilon Film in 1975 and has since worked there as a producer, director, and cameraman. His documentaries, filmed in Europe, North America, India, and Turkey, have been presented and have won numerous awards internationally.
Photo : Collections de la Cinémathèque québécoise
