The third edition of the Knowlton Film Festival officially kicked off on Aug. 25 with a crowd to show for it.

The evening started off with a cocktail hour before the viewing of the film Coda: Life with Music by Quebecois screenwriter Louis Godbout. Having directed his previous films, Coda was Godbout’s first screenplay and it officially premiered in Canadian theatres this summer after being put on the back burner by the pandemic.

CIDI had the pleasure of speaking with Godbout about his film, and other guests, at the film festival on Thursday night.

Originally a philosopher, Godbout was inspired by the ideas of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche while writing Coda.

“I travelled to Switzerland, to Sils Maria, to build a pilgrimage with my family following in Nietzsche’s footsteps,” recounted Godbout. “Just being there and having these ideas in my head, I was also listening to a lot of music at that time, these things kind of just blended together. I thought wow, it would be great to have a movie where the protagonist goes on a journey and ends up here in Sils Maria.”

Coda tells the story of concert pianist Henry Cole, a man stuck in self-doubt, finding himself back on stage after a long hiatus, but is challenged by his stage fright and making that “one false note” that everyone in the crowd is waiting for.

“This film is about music as a life companion, in a nut shell. (…) Philosophy is good to help you through troubles, but music can do that as well,” said Godbout.

Godbout also spoke on his experience writing his first screenplay and how giving up some control over the script can sometimes be rewarding. “Having someone else direct what you wrote can be fun when what’s been written has been respected, but also things are added via the director or by the actors,” said Godbout.

Serhiy Salov, classical pianist, who wrote the soundtrack for the movie, spoke with us about his experience working with acclaimed actor Patrick Stewart.

“It is actually a very complex structure of three players. One is Mr. Stewart using his body, the other is the hands of another person who is a piano tuner from Montreal, and I’m playing the sound,” explained Salov.

Coda is the first film that Salov has been involved in and described training Stewart as an “intense” experience.

“I had a few things to say about how to move his body, how to use his upper body, his shoulders. At first, we tried to make him move his hands, but then we opted not to show the hands because he never played a tune of piano in his entire life. He wouldn’t be equipped to learn it in a month’s time, he is entirely excused for that,” laughed Salov.

Salov mentioned that some people view film music as “derogatory,” but that it has made important contributions.

“This is debatable, because some of the greatest music has been written for films. (…) Film is a direct success of drama and music has always been an integral part of drama, it’s wonderful that they co-exist,” he said.

Mayor for the Town of Brome Lake Richard Burcombe said that he was excited to see what’s in store for the film festival after a two-year hiatus.

“It’s become a big attraction. (…) It’s great, the cultural part, ever since I became mayor, it keeps increasing and increasing. They have a great program and they have a great committee of organizers,” he said.

While not a huge movie fan himself, Burcombe said that he was happy for the community to be able to enjoy an event like the Knowlton Film Festival and for the organizers.

“You know, you look at the work that the organizers put into that, they’re not paid for that. Take your hat off to them for coming back after COVID and taking a risk. I am happy for the people that will be able to attend, and for the restaurants and the village that will benefit,” said Burcombe.

Listen to the full interview below: