Réjeanne Padovani (1973)
Denys Arcand's razor-sharp political drama exposes Quebec's corrupt elite through one explosive dinner party.
Réjeanne Padovani - Movie Information
- Original Title: Réjeanne Padovani
- Release Year: 1973
- Directed by: Denys Arcand
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 36m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 1973 (Canada)
- Production Companies: Cinak Compagnie Cinématographique
- Production Countries: Canada
Réjeanne Padovani - Plot
The unexpected return of his ex-wife and the assembly of a group of protesters both threaten to wreck a corrupt contractor's inauguration party for his new superhighway.
Réjeanne Padovani - Trailer
See the tension unfold in this classic of Quebec political cinema:
Where to Watch Réjeanne Padovani
Looking for where to watch Réjeanne Padovani?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Réjeanne Padovani - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Denys Arcand
Main Cast
- Jean Lajeunesse
- Pierre Thériault
- Frédérique Collin
- Roger Le Bel
- Luce Guilbeault
- Margot Mackinnon
- Hélène Loiselle
- Thérèse Cadorette
- Jean Pierre Lefebvre
- René Caron
Writers
- Denys Arcand
- Jacques Benoît
Réjeanne Padovani - FAQs
What is Réjeanne Padovani about?
Réjeanne Padovani follows a powerful, corrupt contractor hosting a lavish inauguration party for his new superhighway. The evening spirals out of control when his estranged ex-wife unexpectedly returns and a group of protesters assembles outside, exposing the rot beneath Quebec's political and business establishment.
Who directed Réjeanne Padovani?
Réjeanne Padovani was directed by Denys Arcand, one of Quebec cinema's most celebrated filmmakers. Arcand is best known internationally for The Decline of the American Empire and The Barbarian Invasions, which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2004.
Who are the main actors in Réjeanne Padovani?
The film features Jean Lajeunesse as contractor Vincent Padovani, Luce Guilbeault as his returning ex-wife Réjeanne, Pierre Thériault as political fixer Dominique Di Moro, and Roger Le Bel. The cast also includes Frédérique Collin, René Caron, Paule Baillargeon, and Céline Lomez.
Is Réjeanne Padovani a critique of Quebec politics?
Absolutely. The film is widely regarded as one of the sharpest political allegories in Canadian cinema. Arcand uses the contractor's dinner party as a microcosm of collusion between Quebec's business elite and political class, exposing corruption, patronage, and the brutal silencing of dissent with unflinching clarity.
What is the ending of Réjeanne Padovani explained?
The film's conclusion is deliberately chilling. Réjeanne, who poses a threat to her ex-husband's carefully constructed world of power and respectability, is disposed of — her fate sealed by the same corrupt machinery that built the highway. It's a stark statement about how the powerful eliminate inconvenient truths.
When was Réjeanne Padovani released?
Réjeanne Padovani was released on January 1, 1973, in Canada. It emerged during a particularly fertile period for Quebec cinema, when filmmakers like Arcand were using the medium to interrogate the province's social and political contradictions with bold, uncompromising vision.
What films are similar to Réjeanne Padovani?
If Réjeanne Padovani resonates with you, you might enjoy The Divide (2021), Les Indésirables (2023), Herself (2020), and The Passengers of the Night (2022). These films share a similar interest in social inequality, systemic power, and the human cost of political and economic forces on ordinary lives.
How long is Réjeanne Padovani?
Réjeanne Padovani runs for 96 minutes, or 1 hour and 36 minutes. Arcand makes every minute count, building tension through the claustrophobic atmosphere of the dinner party and intercutting it with the growing unrest outside, creating a taut and economical political thriller.
More About Réjeanne Padovani
Explore further details about this landmark of Quebec cinema: