Travelling Distribution

My Tomato Heart

A film by

Benoît Le Rouzès Ménard

Synopsis

Madeleine is forced to quit her position at the neighborhood grocery store. Except that her job is her whole life; her colleagues, her only family. The quinquagenarian spends her last days of work fighting to save what is near and dear to her heart…

Highlights

Tags

2023

Comedy

Ovni

Fiction

Genre

Comedy

Ovni

Country

Canada (Quebec)

Year

2023

Length

14'44"

Themes

Teen friendly

Social Justice

Absurd

With
Stéphanie Colle, Éric Leblanc, Jeanne Bellefeuille, Nicolas Michon, Charles-Aubey Houde, Dominic Roch-Sickini, Frida Pétion, Noémie O’Farrell
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Production
Cynthia Mateu (Les Productions Pic Pocket Inc.)
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Director
Benoît Le Rouzès Ménard
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Screenplay
Benoît Le Rouzès Ménard
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Cinematography
Vincent Biron
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Artistic Direction
Mélanie Truchon, Chiara Fossati
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Editing
Benoît Le Rouzès Ménard
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Sound
Yecine Meliani
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Music
Frédérick Desroches

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Director's statement

One day, I learned that the life expectancy of people with Down's Syndrome had increased considerably over time, thanks to advances in health sciences (55 years today, compared with a meagre 9 years in 1929). At the same time, I was surprised to discover that new eugenic screening methods were leading to the elimination of more than nine out of ten Down's syndrome embryos. This paradox was the inspiration for my film.

Despite the efforts made over the decades, I realize that our society still struggles to include people who are different. We have further proof of this when medicine helps to eradicate this disability without making a fuss. With MY TOMATO HEART, I show that Down's Syndrome is not a problem to be solved, but rather a unique adventure. An adventure that illustrates our ability to adapt to others. An adventure that reveals, in short, our humanity.

This project is close to my heart because it shows that inclusion is possible and can be brought to the fore. In fact, the film was produced in such a way as to maximize the positive repercussions for the actress. My aim was to provide a platform for her to blossom, achieve professional success and showcase her immense talent. In the back of my mind, I also hoped to allow her to enjoy a little 15 minutes of fame in the spotlight...

Benoît Le Rouzès Ménard

Benoît Le Rouzès Ménard is an independent filmmaker born in Trois-Rivières (Québec). He developed his talents as a screenwriter, editor and director during his travels around the world.

Filmography

Mon coeur de tomate | Short Fiction | 2023
La marche de Jacob | Short Fiction | 2014

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Festivals

International Usak Short Film Festival, Turkey | 2024 *Special Jury Prize
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SXSW, USA | 2024
Indy Shorts Heartland Film Festival, USA | 2024
Cleveland International Film Festival, USA | 2024
Festival du nouveau cinéma, Canada | 2023
Vancouver International Film Festival, Canada | 2023
Festival Off-Courts – International Short Film Market of Trouville, France | 2023
Calgary International Film Festival, Canada | 2024
Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma, Canada | 2024
Festival court d’un soir, Canada | 2024
Carrousel du film de Rimouski, Canada | 2024
Festival Plein(s) Écran(s), Canada | 2025
Made Here Film Festival, USA | 2024
Bushwick Film Festival, USA | 2024
Salute Your Shorts, USA | 2024
24fps International Short Film Festival, USA | 2024
15 Short Film Festival, USA | 2024
Persistence of Vision Film Festival, USA | 2025
Festival du film canadien de Dieppe, France | 2024
International Comedy Film Festival – FUNCINEMA, Argentina | 2024
Ningbo Short Film Festival, China | 2024
Jakarta Film Week, Indonesia | 2024

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