The Barbarian Invasions
2003 · Movie · 99 min · ★ 7.1 · 76% critics
A Montreal professor learns he’s dying, and his estranged son returns from abroad to make his final months as comfortable as possible. As family and old friends gather, the group navigates strained relationships, big questions about life and death, and a healthcare system pushed to its limits.
Also known as Les Invasions Barbares
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Details
- Original title
- Les invasions barbares
- Years
- 2003
- Release date
- 2003-05-01
- Language
- French
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Critic score
- 76/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.1/10 (405 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a smart, bittersweet reunion drama that mixes humor with big-life conversations and social commentary; Not for you if you dislike talk-heavy stories or end-of-life themes, like in Bon Voyage.
Pros: witty, thoughtful dialogue; funny and touching moments; strong ensemble chemistry | Cons: talky and meandering; uneven emotional impact; moral questions glossed over
Themes
- dying and death
- parent child relationship
- yuppie
- professor
- socialism
- friends
- money
- cancer
- university
- illness
- dying
- family conflict
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best International Feature Film · 2004
- Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television Award — Best Motion Picture · 2004
- César Award — Best Director · 2004
- César Award — Best Film · 2004
- César Award — Best Original Screenplay or Adaptation · 2004
Show all 11 awards →
- European Film Award — Best Non-European Film · 2003
- Toronto International Film Festival Award — Best Canadian Film · 2003
- Academy Award — Best International Feature Film · 2004 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Original Screenplay · 2004 · nominated
- International Submission to the Academy Awards · 2004 · nominated
- European Film Award — Best Non-European Film · 2003 · nominated
Cast & crew
Rémy Girard
as Rémy
Stéphane Rousseau
as Sébastien
Marie-Josée Croze
as Nathalie
Dorothée Berryman
as Louise
Louise Portal
as Diane Leonard
Dominique Michel
as Dominique St. Arnaud
Pierre Curzi
as Pierre Citrouillard
Yves Jacques
as Claude
Marina Hands
as Gaëlle
Sophie Lorain
as First Lover
Directed by Denys Arcand