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'Faubourg' to premiere at Montreal

Barratier's 'Les choristes' closed fest in 2004

By BRENDAN KELLY

'Faubourg 36' will be the opening night pic at the Montreal World Film Festival.

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French helmer Christophe Barratier's "Faubourg 36" will world preem as the opening night film at the Montreal World Film Festival, it was announced Monday by fest prexy Serge Losique.

Barratier's previous film, "Les choristes," which was a big hit in France and nabbed two Oscar nominations, closed the fest in 2004.

Pic will screen Aug. 21 with the director and several of the thesps expected to be on hand.

Cast includes Gerard Jugnot and Clovis Cornillac. It was written by Barratier based on an original idea from Frank Thomas, Jean-Michel Derenne and Reinhardt Wagner. Wagner also composed the original music for the film.

Set in Paris in 1936, it is the tale of three unemployed workers who take over a music hall to mount their own show. Alliance Vivafilm will release the pic in Canada this fall.

Losique unveils the fest's full line up in Montreal this morning.