Celebrated Quebec writer/director Louis Bélanger makes a triumphant return to the Montreal World Film Festival, which opens this evening with the director's latest film ROUTE 132. The film is making its World Premiere in the Competition Section of the event.

In this highly dramatic caper drama, two old friends and small-time crooks embark on a crime spree, but take an unexpected detour that could lead them down the road to redemption. The film, co-written by the director and Alexis Martin and starring Alexis Martin, Sophie Bourgeois and Francois Papineau, will be released theatrically in Canada following the Festival by Alliance Viva Films.

Louis Bélanger is an actor, writer and director who is one of Quebec's leading film artistes. He was born in 1964 in Beaufort, Quebec and now lives in Montreal with his wife and their daughter.  

Tonight's premiere marks the third time that the director has showcased his newst work at the Montreal World Film Festival. He was previously represented by his feature debut POST MORTEM (1999), which went on to win the Claude Jutra Award and Best Screenplay honors at the 2000 Genie Awards (the Canadian Oscars). The film also won a Best Director prize and the FIPRESCI International Critics Award at the 1999 Montreal World Film Festival, as well as the Independent Voice Award at that year's Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

In 2003, the director returned to Montreal with GAZ BAR BLUES, which won the Festival's Grand Jury Prize and was nominated for both direction and screenplay for Genie and Jutra awards. The film also won the Press Award at the 2004 Paris Film Festival. Welcome back, Louis.....

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Dailies Editor