Reeling 2010: I Killed My Mother (J'ai Tué Ma Mere)

Hubert Minel is a typical teenager in almost every sense: he is narcissistic, has mediocre grades, is defining himself sexually, and he hates his mother. Although “hate” does not aptly describe Hubert’s feelings—he is consumed by his loathing. He hates the way his mother eats, the way she drives—pretty much everything she does intensifies Hubert’s disgust. His mother, Chantale, is an equal player in their constant bickering. With his home life in shambles, Hubert finds solace at his boyfriend’s house and in the company of an understanding teacher. But, when Hubert is unwittingly outed to his mother, their already-strained relationship hits a breaking point. The film’s character interactions are familiar to anyone who has endured the uncertainties of adolescence. Writer-director-actor Xavier Dolan delicately balances the blame between mother and son, with realistic dialogue befitting an angry teen, but also with the eye of a blossoming adult who is starting to know better. Chantale and Hubert are the same—both with quick fuses and an inability to communicate—just as love and hate can be the same. I Killed My Mother is a complex drama about how relationships constantly regress, change and grow, and how easy it is to get lost along the way. —Angelique Smith for Reeling I Killed My Mother (J'ai Tué Ma Mere) Xavier Dolan (Canada, 2009, 96 min.) In French, with English subtitles Reeling: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival, the second oldest film festival of its kind in the US, is presenting 54 programs over 10 days from November 4-13, 2010. Advance sales are available until the day before the show. After that, tickets must be purchased at the theater box office on the day of the screening. Regular Screenings: $10 ($8 members), Matinee Screenings (before 5:00 pm): $8 ($6 members).

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