The Team

Forum Films is a dynamic film production company based in Montreal, Canada. The company was founded by Richard Lalonde to develop, promote and produce quality cinema mainly targeting two markets: feature film and television.

Forum mostly considers socially and culturally relevant projects. These films are produced hand in hand with talented colleagues and collaborators to ensure a high quality of execution and thus enable their global distribution. The main goal behind this teamwork is the development of mature scripts ready for production and capable of speaking to an international audience,to be viewed and appreciated all around the world. Each project is given the specific approach it requires. Chosen topics encourage reflection on social issues while favouring the technical level of work behind the cinematic genre as well as the art of storytelling.

Forum is financing projects with the traditional partners of the Canadian film and television industry but also on the international markets. Forum is also looking for strategic partnership and association opportunities with other members of the film community who share similar views on themes, content, and the national and international evolution of the film and television industry.

Throughout his years of work on the Canadian and international scene, Richard Lalonde has developed and maintained a solid network of partners and professional contacts. Many of his projects offered him the opportunity to create significant ties in the world community of filmmakers. Forum will pursue its international development by maintaining these strong relationships and by developing new ones with foreign producers using the strength of the co-production agreements Canada has with numerous countries.

Richard Lalonde

After studies in literature, art history and cinema, Richard Lalonde made his professional debut as a location scout. Subsequently, he had the chance to work in different capacities on more than thirty Canadian productions and international co-productions with world-renowned directors such as Jerry Shatzberg, Denys Arcand, Ted Kotcheff, Jacques Leduc, Robert Altman, Alan Rudolph, Yves Simoneau, Richard Attenborough, Christian Duguay and many others.

In 1997, Lalonde joined Filmline International where he supervised the production of “Monument Ave.” directed by Ted Demme and line-produced “Free Money”, a feature starring Marlon Brando, Donald Sutherland, Charlie Sheen and Mira Sorvino. He went on to co-produce “The Art of War”, a feature directed by Christian Duguay and starring Wesley Snipes, Donald Sutherland and Anne Archer. “The Art of War” was widely released in North America on over 2,500 screens, and obtained the “Golden Reel” in 2000 for Best Box Office for a Canadian film.

In the midst of a successful career in the Canadian film industry, Lalonde founded Forum Films, taking his ambition to produce quality projects one step further. Since 2003, Forum has produced more than ten features for cinema and television.

In 2003, Forum Films produced the feature film entitled “A Different Loyalty”. Shot in Montreal, London, Malta and Moscow, this Canada/UK co-production is directed by Marek Kanievska and stars Sharon Stone and Rupert Everett. The film is sold in more than 15 countries worldwide and Lions Gate has purchased North-American rights.

Also in 2003, Richard Lalonde produced “The Five of Us”. Directed by first-time director Ghyslaine Côté from an original script by Chantal Cadieux, the feature film was in official competition and opened the 2004 edition of the Montreal Film Festival where it won the prizes for “Best Artistic Contribution” and “Most Popular Canadian Film”. It was also in official competition at the Namur International French Language Films Festival and was selected at Pusan International Film Festival. In 2005, the film was nominated for two Genies and for seven Jutra including a nomination for “Best Film”.

Shot in Montreal in 2005, Lalonde produced “Last Exit” in association with CTV Television. Directed by John Fawcett and starring Kathleen Robertson and Andrea Roth. Last Exit was nominated for three Gemini Awards 2007 among which “Best TV Movie” and was also sold to Lifetime in more than 20 countries worldwide.

In 2006, Forum Films produces the feature film “Ma Fille, mon ange” in partnership with Remstar. A directorial debut for Alexis Durand Brault starring Michel Côté and Karine Vanasse, the film premiered in February 2007 opening the 25^th anniversary of the Rendez-vous du Cinéma Québécois and on 87 screens in Quebec to an overwhelming public response. (Laurence Leboeuf was nominated at Genie Awards 2007 and was awarded a Jutra 2008 for Best Actress in a supporting role).

Also in 2006, Lalonde coproduced “Horse Thieves” with Versus Productions (Belgium) and Rézo Productions (France). The first feature film written and directed by Micha Wald. “Horse Thieves” was selected for the 46^th International Critics’ Week – Cannes 2007 and premiered in Montreal in October 2007 at the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma.

In 2007, Lalonde produced “The Terrorist Next Door” with Sarrazin Couture Productions and in association with CTV Television. The television movie directed by Jerry Ciccoritti and starring Kathleen Robertson, Michael Ironside and Chris William Martin was first broadcasted in June 2008. It obtain four nominations at Gemini Awards 2009 among which “Best TV Movie” and won the prize for “Best Direction in a Dramatic Program”.

In 2008, Richard Lalonde once again has the pleasure to work in coproduction with Versus (Belgium) and with Haut et Court (France). For his second feature film, writer/director Micha Wald brings us “Simon Konianski” a comedy born out of Yiddish humour and drama lived through the eyes of a very contemporary young man and his dealings with his very traditional Jewish family. Release in Montreal took place in April 2010.

In 2009, Richard Lalonde produced “Everywhere” second feature film of director Alexis Durand Brault, starring Patrick McKenna and Julie Le Breton. In September 2010 “Everywhere” was selected at Vancouver International Film Festival. Montreal release took place during Summer 2010.

Beginning 2010 announces the production of  “Trash” the second feature film from awarded documentary director Benoit Pilon. His first feature “The necessities of life” obtained the Genie award for best direction in 2009 and was the Canadian contribution to the 2009 Oscars prizes in the category of best foreign film. Release in Montreal took place in Fall 2011.

In 2013, Richard Lalonde produced “La petite reine: Downfall of a champion”. The third feature film of Alexis Durand Brault, freely inspired of the life of the cyclist Geneviève Jeanson and staring Laurence Lebœuf and Patrice Robitaille. Shot n Liège in Belgium, Phoenix (Arizona) in the United States as well as in Montreal in Canada, the release on 60 screens in Quebec’s theaters is planned on June 13^th, 2014.

Also in 2013, Lalonde teamed up once again for Versus Production (Belgium) to coproduce “Tokyo Fiancée” adaptation of the novel by Amélie Nothomb “Ni d’Ève ni d’Adam”. The film written and directed by Stefan Liberski staring Pauline Étienne in Amelie Nothomb’s role was shot in Japan and Belgium and release in Montreal is scheduled in Winter 2015.

Curriculum Vitae

PRODUCER

2014 LA PETITE REINE : DOWNFALL OF A CHAMPION
Director: Alexis Durand Brault
Feature film
Budget: $ 5.3M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal, Belgium United States

TOKYO FIANCÉE
Versus Co (BE) Worso (FR) Director: Stefan Liberski
Feature film
Budget: $ 4M CDN
Filming Locations: Belgium, Japan

2011 TRASH
Director: Benoit Pilon Feature film
Budget: $ 3.5M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal

2010 EVERYWHERE
Director: Alexis Durand Brault Feature film
Budget: $ 2.6M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal

SIMON KONIANSKI
Versus Co (BE) Haut et Court (FR) Director: Micha Wald
Feature film
Budget: $ 4M CDN
Filming Locations: Belgium, Poland

2007 HORSE THIEVES
Versus Co (BE) Rézo (FR) Director: Micha wald
Feature film
Budget: $ 4M CDN
Filming Locations: Belgium, France

2005 TERRORIST NEXT DOOR
Quebec / Ontario Co-Director: Jerry Ciccoritti Feature film for television
Budget: CDN $ 4M
Filming Locations: Montreal

2003 MY DAUGHTER, MY ANGEL
Director: Alexis Durand Brault Feature film
Budget: $ 3.5M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal

2005 LAST EXIT
Director: John Fawcett Film for television
Budget: $ 4M CDN
Location: Montreal

2003 THEY WERE FIVE
Director: Ghyslaine Côté Feature film
Budget: $ 3.1 CAD
Filming Locations: Montreal

2002 A DIFFERENT LOYALTY
England Co-Director: Marek Kanievska Feature film
Budget: $ 23.1M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal, England, Malta, Russia

CO-PRODUCER

2007 THE FACTORY
Silver Pictures J. Silver. D. Gambino Director: Morgan O’Neill
Feature film
Budget: $ 27.1M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal

1999 THE ART OF WAR
Filmline, Producer: N. Clermont Director: Christian Duguay Feature film
Budget: $ 38.1M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal

1998-1999 THE SECRET ADV. OF JULES VERNE
Television series, 2 × 11 episodes series 1st Budget: $ 25.7M CDN 2nd Series Budget: $ 23.4M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

1997 FREE MONEY
Filmline, Producer: N. Clermont Director: Yves Simoneau
Feature film
Budget: $ 22.5m CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal

1997 MONUMENT A VENUE *
Filmline, Producer: N. Clermont Director: Ted Demme
Feature film
Budget: $ 11.2m US
Filming Locations: United States * Production Supervisor

1992 LOVE AND HUMAN REMAINS
Max Films Producer: R. Frappier Director: Denys Arcand
Feature film
Budget: $ 6M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal

1991 LA VIE FANTÔME
Max Films Producer: R. Frappier
Feature film
Budget: $ 2.7M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal and United States

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

1996 AFTERGLOW
Sandcastle, Producers: Robert Altman Director: Alan Rudolph
Feature film
Budget: $ 6.9m US
Filming Locations: Montreal

IN LOVE AND WAR *
New Line Cinema, Prod .: R. Attenborough Director: Richard Attenborough
Feature film
Budget to Montreal: $ 2.5M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal and surroundings * Filmed in Canada

IN THE PRESENCE OF MINE ENEMIES
Showtime Producer: N. Nugent Director: J. Micklin Silver
Feature film for television
Budget: $ 3.2M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal

1995 GREY OWL *
Beaver Prods, Producers. J. Eberts Director: Richard Attenborough Feature Film
Budget: $ 22.5m US
Location: Montreal and surroundings
* 6 months of preparation – Project delivered.

1994 INNOCENT LIES / DEADLY SINS
Red Umbrella / Seventh Prods. Producers: S. Perry, P. Guez Coproduction France England Director: Patrick Dewolf Feature film
Budget: $ 4.6M GBP
Filming Locations: France, England

LE BILLET DE LOTERIE *
Prod. Cerf. Prod .: L. Gendron Director: Jean-Pierre Prévost Feature Film for television Budget: $ 2M CDN
Filming Locations: * Turning Montreal only

1993 THE BREAKTHROUGH
Filmline, Producer: N. Clermont Director: Piers Haggard
Feature film for television Budget: $ 3.9M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal, Nova Scotia

1992 THE GRAND PARDON II *
Alexandre Films Producer: R. Benmussa Director: Alexandre Arcady
Feature film
Budget: $ 4.6M US

1991 LA VIE FANTÔME
Max Films Producer: R. Frappier Director: Jacques Leduc
Feature film
Budget: $ 2.7M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal and United States

1990 DING ET DONG, THE MOVIE
Max Films Producer: R. Frappier Director: Alain Chartrand
Feature film
Budget: $ 3.4M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal

1989 UN AUTRE HOMME
Max Films Producer: Pierre Gendron Director: Charles Binamé
Feature film for television
Budget: CDN $ 900k
Filming Locations: Montreal

1989 MOODY BEACH
Max Films Producer: P. Gendron Director: Richard Roy
Feature film
Budget: $ 2.7M CDN
Filming Locations: United States and Montreal

1988 NO BLAME
3 Themes, Producer: D. Suissa Director: Danièle Suissa Feature film for television
Budget: $ 1.7M CDN
Filming Locations: Montreal

1987 LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
The Festival Production, Producer: R .Demers Director: Márta Mészáros
Budget: $ 2.2M CDN
Filming locations :, Hungary, Montreal

GENERAL MANAGER

1987 TOMMY TRICKER
THE STAMP TRAVELLER (Feature)

SWITCHING CHANNELS * (Feature)
Director: Ted Kotcheff

Dumbwaiter / THE ROOM (LM TV) Director: Robert Altman

1986 BROTHER ANDRÉ (Feature)

OUTDOOR STAGE

1986 POLICE PLAZA (TV LM)

1986 STREET SMART (LM)

1986 MORNING MAN (LM)

1985 Spearfield’S DAUGHTER * (TV Mini Series) 1985 HONEYMOON (LM)

JOSHUA AND NOW THAN 1984 * (LM) Director: Ted Kotcheff

 

PERSONNAL INFO

Born June 15, 1960
1977 – Highschool education at Collège Bourget Rigaud
1982 – College degree in literature in 1982
1983 – Joined the screenwriting short program at University of Quebec in Montreal
1993 – PADI diploma, master scuba diving

EXPERIENCE LOCATIONS
United States (Miami, Jacksonville, Sarasota, Phoenix, Boston), Canada (Quebec, Nova Scotia, Alberta and Ontario) Germany, Hungary, France, England, Belgium, Malta and Russia

TRAVELS
NORTH AMERICA and CENTRAL (Nunavut, Bahamas, Canada, Martinique, Bonaire, Cuba, Mexico, United States).
SOUTH AMERICA (Venezuela, Costa Rica)
EUROPE (Germany, Andorra, England, France, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Spain)
ASIA (India, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand) – AFRICA (Morocco) – OCEANIA (Fiji, French Polynesia)