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Not too long ago I came across a compelling interview on the TV show Arts & Minds with a Director named Jean-Marc Vallée. Vallée – a well-spoken guy from Quebec – I learned,  directed a successful French-Canadian movie called C.R.A.Z.Y and subsequently The Young Victoria – neither of which I had seen.

In the interview he discussed how he put all his energy into C.R.A.Z.Y and was a film he had to make. A defining career experience for him, which lead to the opportunity to direct The Young Victoria.

I watched C.R.A.Z.Y first (rented it from the library) and enjoyed it a lot. It’s a French speaking film about family love and adolescence, and it suited me very well because I want to be exposed to more French (culture). Watch the trailer here >>

Then, I followed it up with The Young Victoria which was just as fantastic. A wonderful (true) love story, great visuals, awesome score and useful historical references. They say period pieces rarely explore the behind the scenes life of Royals, so this film gives a more realistic and unique interpretation of what life would have been like for The Young Victoria (played by Emily Blunt), who became Queen at 18. Albert (played by Rupert Friend) was also a main character in the film. It was neat to see Prince Albert’s love and devotion portrayed for Victoria – a great example for men.

The Young Victoria is a great story and it’s also a story of a Quebecois Director making it big. i.e. Martin Scorsese and Sarah Derguson being Producers. I look forward to Vallée’s next film.

You can watch the Arts & Minds feature online here>>

The Young Victoria Trailer

An Interview with Jean-Marc Vallée

Emily Blunt & Rupert Friend: Uncut Interview

“Alberta is named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta (1848–1939), the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta)