The arrival of the Netflix streaming service has allowed Canadians to sample movies and TV shows from around the globe. Yet, this has also given us a chance to see more local content too, with the Netflix in Your Neighbourhood website pointing us toward all the shows filmed in Quebec and other parts of the country. How do the best titles tie in with Quebec’s current status as a modern entertainment hub, and how is the province represented in video games too?
Jusqu’au déclin (The Decline)
This 2020 action thriller was the debut movie of director Patrice Laliberté. It also holds the title of being the first Netflix original movie from Quebec. While it is set in the rural Nord-du-Québec, the filming took place in the Laurentian Mountains in the southern part of the province. The plot follows Antoine, played by Guillaume Laurin, as a man who leaves Montreal to go on a survival course as he fears that some sort of natural disaster is about to occur.
Things start well on the course, but it soon takes a darker turn and leads to rising tension in the group. Interestingly, the same actors dubbed their own voices for the English version, to preserve the authenticity of the Quebec accent. The movie received a series of awards at the Canadian Screen Awards and Prix Iris in 2021, including Arthur Tarnowski being nominated for the editing. With over 16 million Netflix users in Canada and an estimated 210 million worldwide, movies like this can show the Canadian landscapes to a vast global audience.
M’entends-tu? (Can You Hear Me?)
The three seasons of this Netflix series take us around various of Montreal’s neighbourhoods as we follow the stories of Ada (Florence Longpré), Fabiola (Mélissa Bédard), and Carolanne (Ève Landry). The show became popular for its humour and down-to-earth scenarios, together with a strong emphasis on music and the part it plays in the lives of the main characters. It takes us to some parts of Montreal not usually seen on shows or movies, but there is no word yet of whether a fourth season will be commissioned.
Games Set in Quebec
The popularity of Netflix in Canada is just one way that the internet has introduced new forms of home entertainment to our lives, as well as giving content makers the chance to use the province as a setting. Many video games have been set here too, including Assassin’s Creed Rogue and Deus Ex: Human Revolution. While the first game has a historical setting and the other is futuristic, the use of Canadian locations may still help local players to feel more connected to the stories.
It is also a popular setting for sports games such as EA Sports UFC and a selection of ice hockey titles featuring Wayne Gretzky and the Montreal Canadiens above all. In addition, the arrival of the best online casinos, such as Bethard and Betway, to Canada has introduced the idea of playing casino games online for real money. These sites typically offer new players incentives, such as a cash match welcome bonus of free spins following their first deposit.
By watching these shows and playing these games, viewers can get a feel for a few of the different aspects of Quebec, from the big city feel to rural spots and our favourite sports.
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