Rideau Hall, Saturday, August 22, 2015

What can I say about that My Giving Moment video we just saw, ladies and gentlemen?!

It was a nice opportunity to indulge my inner rock star, really let my hair down and get hooked on giving!

All thanks to the magic of motion pictures!

And of course, that’s why we’re here today, gathered on the Rideau Hall lawn.

We’re so fortunate that this country is home to some of the world’s great filmmakers, actors and producers—talented people who are sharing Canadian perspectives and telling Canadian stories.

And that’s what we’re in for tonight: a story that brings characters to life during 1960s Quebec.

That was a time of profound changes in Quebec society, a time which became known as the Quiet Revolution.

La Passion d’Augustine tells a story of change, of growth, of learning and of the power of music.

Movies like La Passion d’Augustine provide us with a window onto another time and place.

A great movie can help to connect us with our history, to spur us to ask questions, to want to learn more.  

And, of course, a great movie entertains and moves us, as this one surely does.

I want to get to the film, but before I do, I’d like to thank everyone who was involved in this production, as well as all of our partners who helped bring it to Rideau Hall tonight.

With this screening, you’ll see why so many people around the world are praising French-Canadian cinema.

And you’ll also see why we chose this wonderful film as our French-language feature at Rideau Hall Movie Nights this year.

Thank you for being here, and have a wonderful evening under the stars!