J'ai tué ma mère
| I Killed My Mother | |
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Poster
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| Directed by | Xavier Dolan |
| Produced by | Xavier Dolan Carole Mondello Daniel Morin |
| Written by | Xavier Dolan |
| Starring |
Xavier Dolan Anne Dorval Suzanne Clément François Arnaud |
| Music by | Nicholas Savard-L'Herbier |
| Cinematography | Stéphanie Weber Biron Nicolas Canniccioni |
| Edited by | Hélène Girard |
| Distributed by | Rézo Films (France) K Films Amerique (Canada) Kino Lorber (US) |
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Release date
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Running time
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96 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | French |
| Budget | CA$450,000 (estimated) |
| Box office | CA$32,803 |
I Killed My Mother (French: J'ai tué ma mère) is a 2009 Quebec biographical drama film written and directed by Xavier Dolan. The film attracted international press attention when it won three awards from the Director's Fortnight program at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. After being shown, the film received a standing ovation. It was shown in 12 cinemas in Quebec and 60 in France.
The film begins with Hubert Minel giving a black-and-white monologue explaining how he loves his mother but cannot stand being her son; he also reveals that when he was younger, things were better between them.
Hubert is a 16-year-old Québécois living in suburban Montreal with his single mother, Chantale, who divorced Hubert's father, Richard, when Hubert was much younger. Hubert barely sees his father, and this adds to the animosity between mother and son. One morning, as his mother drives him to school, Hubert starts an argument with her about her applying makeup while driving. The argument ends when Chantale stops the car and tells him to walk to school. At school Hubert claims to his teacher, Ms Cloutier, that his mother is dead. After the teacher finds out that it is a lie, she expresses this lie as "you killed your mother." This inspires Hubert to write an essay for school titled "I killed my mother."
Later in the film, Hubert's friend Antonin is revealed to be his boyfriend, but Hubert has not told his mother, and she finds out from Antonin's mother, who assumed that Chantale already knew. Chantale, to some extent, accepts her son's homosexuality; however, she appears hurt that he did not tell her. Hubert wants to live in his own apartment and is happy that his mother says it is a good idea, but the next day she has changed her mind and does not allow it, claiming that she thinks he is too young.
Their relationship continues to deteriorate, and Hubert goes to live with his teacher, pretending to be staying with his boyfriend. Hubert's father invites him over for a visit; however, once there, Richard and Chantale tell Hubert they've decided to send him to a boarding school in Coaticook. Hubert is deeply angered that his father makes the decision, since Hubert only sees his father at Christmas and Easter.
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