Comic relief

Local and international chuckles at the
Just for Laughs Film Festival

by MALCOLM FRASER

Formerly known as Comedia, the Just for Laughs Film Festival ensures that film fans aren’t left out of the laughter loop during the goings-on at the city’s renowned comedy fest. This year’s offerings include a selection of high-profile features and several programs of shorts, covering both international and local comedic talent on film.

HORROR AND HILARITY: Baghead

Montreal’s own Jay Baruchel stars in Just Buried, playing a slacker who unexpectedly inherits his father’s funeral home. When he finds out that the home is facing bankruptcy, he gets caught up in a scheme with the embalmer (Rose Byrne) to provide new “customers” for the business. Baruchel and director Chaz Thorne will be on hand to present the dark Canadian-made comedy.

Written and directed by Jay and Mark Duplass, Baghead tells the tale of a group of actor friends who take a cottage retreat to write a screenplay. Their low-budget horror concept, about a stalker wearing a paper bag over his head, starts to infiltrate the real retreat. Combining horror, romance and indie-film satire, the genre-mashing comedy was a hit at last year’s Sundance fest.

On the French side, screenings include Bienvenue chez les ch’tis, a comedy about a mailman transferred to a rural town that broke box office records in France, the ironically titled Ma vie n’est pas une comédie romantique, and Marcel Pagnol’s 1951 classic Topaze, presented by Pagnol’s grandson Nicolas.

For those on the family tip, Space Chimps is an animated science fiction romp featuring the voices of noted comic talents Andy Samberg, Cheryl Hines, Stanley Tucci and others. Director Kirk De Micco will be present for the screening.

While the Eat My Shorts, Eat My Twisted Shorts and Tout Court International programs compile international short films, the Tout Court Québec selection spotlights local filmmakers. CBC pranksters Kenny vs. Spenny will also be presenting a live version of their hit TV show. With more on the way next week including the much-buzzed Pineapple Express, the intriguingly titled Confessions of a Porn Addict and a live show and screening of shorts from local phenom Jon Lajoie, expect your funny bone to be more than adequately tickled.

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