René Lévesque

René Lévesque

Birth : 1922-08-24, Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada

Death : 1987-11-01

History

René Lévesque (1922–1987) was a Québécois politician and journalist who served as the 23rd Premier of Quebec from 1976 to 1985. Starting his career as a reporter, and radio and television host, he later became known for his eminent role in Quebec's nationalization of its electric power industry, and as an ardent defender of Quebec sovereignty. He was the founder of the Parti Québécois political party—and before that, a liberal minister of the government of Quebec from 1960 to 1966 and the first Québécois political leader since Confederation to attempt, through a referendum, to negotiate the political independence of Quebec.

Profile

René Lévesque

Movies

The Devil's Share
Quebec, on the cusp of the 1960s. The province is on the brink of momentous change. Deftly selecting clips from nearly 200 films from the National Film Board of Canada archives, director Luc Bourdon reinterprets the historical record, offering us a new and distinctive perspective on the Quiet Revolution.
Nation - un huis clos avec Lucien Bouchard
René Lévesque
A man bears witness to history. A musical soundtrack guides us back in time. A time when nationalist fervour in Quebec was a rallying point for a substantial cross-section of its population. We are ushered into the inauguration of the Quebec nationalist journey that will become the crux of Lucien Bouchard's political life. Nation delves into critical turning points in former Quebec premier Lucien Bouchard's life, to explain the why behind subsequent historical events, including broken loyalties, how certain obvious dangers could have been avoided, finding joy in seemingly despondent times, and most importantly, how one man embodied, in such a multifaceted way, the one thing that tormented a nation throughout so many years : the perpetuation of its own identity.
Thieves of Innocence
Himself
A documentary on abused children.
The Champions, Part 3: The Final Battle
The final instalment of this 3-part documentary series about Pierre Elliott Trudeau and René Lévesque spans the decade between 1976 and 1986. The film reveals the turbulent, behind-the-scenes drama during the Quebec referendum and the repatriation of the Canadian Constitution. In doing so, it also traces both Trudeau's and Lévesque's fall from power.
Comfort and Indifference
Self
Made shortly after the referendum on Quebec's independence was held, this documentary illustrates what the politicians' promises were and how the population did not really care nor truly understand what was really at stake, even though just about everyone had an opinion on the subject.
Harmonium en Californie
Himself
Through concerts and interviews, folk-progressive group Harmonium takes Quebec culture to California.
The Champions, Part 1: Unlikely Warriors
In Part 1 of this 3-part documentary series, director Donald Brittain chronicles the early years of Pierre Elliott Trudeau and René Lévesque. From their university days in the 1950s to 1967 when Lévesque left the Liberal Party and Trudeau became the federal Minister of Justice, Brittain attempts to get at the heart of what makes these men so fascinating.
The Champions, Part 2: Trappings of Power
Part 2 of this 3-part documentary series about Pierre Elliott Trudeau and René Lévesque covers the years between 1967 and 1977, a colourful decade that saw Trudeau win three federal elections, the 1970 October Crisis and the sweeping rise to power of the Parti Québécois.
À la croisée des chemins
Narrateur
A young man, Jean Liber (Paul Guèvremont), who, at the end of his cours classique, decides to leave his rich, happy family and his finance, Pauline (Denise Pelletier), in order to become a missionary in China. This story of his struggle, 'at the crossroads' between love and God's calling, is clearly a pretext for a film designed to encourage young men to enter missionary work.