Denise Filiatrault

Denise Filiatrault

Born: May 16, 1931
in Montréal, Québec, Canada
Denise Filiatrault (born May 16, 1931) is a Canadian actress and director.

She attained star status on TV in the 1960s, co-starring with Dominique Michel in the Radio-Canada television series Moi et l'autre (1967–71) and in many editions of Radio-Canada's annual New Year's special, Bye Bye. She had further success in Chez Denise (1978–1982), Le 101, avenue des Pins (1984–85) and Denise... aujourd'hui (1990–91).

In addition to her television career, Filiatrault also performed in films and on stage, notably in works by Michel Tremblay. She was known to perform both comic and dramatic roles, such as Gilles Carle's The Death of a Lumberjack (La Mort d'un bûcheron) in 1973, André Brassard's film version of Tremblay's Once Upon a Time in the East (Il était une fois dans l'Est) in 1974, Denys Arcand's Gina in 1975, Claude Fournier's Far from You Sweetheart (Je suis loin de toi mignonne) in 1976, Fantastica in 1980 and Carle's The Plouffe Family (Les Plouffe) in 1981, playing the tormented Cécile.

Following Les Plouffe, Filiatrault took a break from film, concentrating more in writing and directing for theatre and summer comedy. Filiatrault then decided to take the leap to directing cinema by adapting Tremblay's novel C't'à ton tour, Laura Cadieux into the 1998 film It's Your Turn, Laura Cadieux, presenting the world of overweight women yearning for love and affection. Filiatrault opted for a simple yet effective style that showcased the talents of the film's strong female leads. This dramatic comedy scored such success that Filiatrault wrote and directed the 1999 sequel Laura Cadieux II (Laura Cadieux... la suite), in which she further developed the characters and their world.

In 2002, she produced a new comedy fantasy, Alice's Odyssey (L'Odyssée d'Alice Tremblay), which received a lukewarm response from critics and moviegoers. In 2003, taking advantage of the success of her motion picture characters, Filiatrault produced a television miniseries for TVA, Le Petit monde de Laura Cadieux (2003), before tackling a new film Bittersweet Memories (Ma vie en cinémascope) (2004), a dramatic biography of 1930s-1950s singer Alys Robi (played by Pascale Bussières).

As artistic director of the Théâtre du Rideau Vert, she and the theatre were criticized in January 2015 by a coalition of Montreal arts groups for a year-end production in which a Caucasian actor portrayed hockey player P.K. Subban in blackface. Filiatrault responded that she was "shocked, outraged, and humiliated" by the reaction, saying that she had been in show business for 60 years and was the first person to hire a black Quebecer on television.

Movies for Denise Filiatrault...

Filiatrault : Parcours d'une légende
Title: Filiatrault : Parcours d'une légende
Character: Self
Released: April 22, 2022
Type: Movie
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Title: La tour
Character: Self - Guest
Released: September 28, 2020
Type: TV
An original talk show is set in Patrick’s warm and cozy apartment, where he welcomes friends and guests every day to discuss the latest hot topics that affect our lives. The show also features Patrick’s fictional neighbours.
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Title: On va se le dire
Character: Self
Released: September 9, 2019
Type: TV
Host Sébastien Diaz, known for his curiosity, is interested in absolutely everything that's going on in the world. At the rate things are changing, every day brings surprising new trends, unusual developments and contradictory social movements. Sébastien is joined by regular contributors and invites various celebrities to talk about the hottest topics in this modern round table.
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Compulsive Liar
Title: Compulsive Liar
Character: Chauffeure Uber
Released: July 10, 2019
Type: Movie
Simon Aubert runs his entire life on lies. An executive at an aviation company, he lies about everything… Simon’s self-serving lies are so abundant that the universe (governed by a handful of Buddhist monks, it seems) decides to right a wrong by teaching him a lesson and making all of the lies reality on the eve of his company’s crucial meeting with a Russian businessman that Simon absolutely needs to impress in order to prevent the closure of the small-town plant where his twin brother Phil works.
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Title: Bonsoir bonsoir!
Character: Self
Released: April 1, 2019
Type: TV
Each day, Jean-Philippe Wauthier welcomes guests on the show in warm, friendly setting. His interviews focus on their newsworthy achievements but also, and most importantly, on their passions, interests and opinions.
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Title: Cette année-là
Character: Self
Released: September 15, 2018
Type: TV
A culture show set hosted by Marc Labrèche and his collaborators, Simon Boulerice, Émilie Perreault and Fred Savard. Each week, based on a significant year in history, they revisit a cultural event of a previous era and compare it with today’s yardstick. The hosts and their guests examine subjects that link the chosen year to what’s hot in cultural circles right now.
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Title: Rousseau's Show
Character: Self
Released: March 5, 2018
Type: TV
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It's the Heart That Dies Last
Title: It's the Heart That Dies Last
Character: Mme Lapierre
Released: April 14, 2017
Type: Movie
At 47, Julien is an eternal misfit with no real job. But now that he has published an autobiography recounting his childhood memories, a complicated relationship with his mother and troubling family secrets, success is knocking on his door. Julien and his mother have cut ties a long time ago and she doesn't know about the book. Living a sad and miserable life in a retirement home, she renews contact with her son to make up for lost time. But is that all there is to it?
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Title: MTL
Character: Self
Released: April 13, 2017
Type: TV
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Title: Les échangistes
Character: Self
Released: April 4, 2016
Type: TV
Host Penelope McQuade welcomes three celebrities each evening, along with two different swapping contributors who will intervene, make critical comments and spice up the conversations!
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Title: Viens-tu faire un tour?
Character: Self
Released: May 25, 2014
Type: TV
Michel Barrette hits the road with public figures. Every drive is the perfect opportunity to share a moment, a chat and a trip down memory lane. For each outing, Michel selects the car best suited to his guest from his personal collection.
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Title: En mode Salvail
Character: Self
Released: October 28, 2013
Type: TV
What to expect: interviews, musical performances, a fierce band, surprising stories and most of all, guests who are more than happy to play along and follow Éric Salvail on his beautifully crazy tangents!
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Filiatrault
Title: Filiatrault
Character: Herself
Released: June 23, 2013
Type: Movie
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Laurence Anyways
Title: Laurence Anyways
Character: Restaurant Manager
Released: May 18, 2012
Type: Movie
The story of an impossible love between a woman named Fred and a transgender woman named Laurence who reveals her inner desire to become her true self.
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Title: In Lieu of Flowers
Character: Self
Released: January 10, 2012
Type: TV
A variety show with a twist: a celebrity guest get to attend their own memorial service – an entertaining send-off filled with eulogies and some gentle ribbing.
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Title: Les enfants de la télé
Character: Self
Released: September 15, 2010
Type: TV
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Title: 2 steamés
Character: Herself
Released: January 28, 2010
Type: TV
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Title: Le Banquier
Character: Self
Released: January 24, 2007
Type: TV
Le Banquier is the Quebec adaptation of the international game show Deal or No Deal. It debuted on January 24, 2007 at 9pm on the TVA network. The program, produced in Montreal by JPL Production II Inc. and Endemol USA for TVA, is hosted by Julie Snyder. The show's main sponsors are Vidéotron and Hyundai. The show's first season ended on March 29, 2007. During the first season, episodes aired on Wednesdays at 9pm and Thursdays at 8pm. During the second season, episodes aired on Sundays at 7pm and Thursdays at 8pm.
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Title: Le match des étoiles
Character: Self - Guest Judge
Released: October 5, 2005
Type: TV
A dance-off where stars learn, prepare and present dance routines that they must show to a select panel of judges.
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Title: Il va y avoir du sport
Character: Self
Released: September 17, 2004
Type: TV
A program that tackles major subjects – human, political, cultural, economic and ethical issues – and presents them in a debate format that encourages lively discussion.
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Title: Tout le monde en parle
Character: Self
Released: September 12, 2004
Type: TV
Host Guy A. Lepage brings together six to eight personalities from different milieus—sports, politics, stage productions and more—that are the subject of everyone’s conversations and/or are important figures in recent events. Participants are invited to speak freely, voicing their opinions on headline news or on a subject that is near and dear to them. 
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Title: Viens voir les comédiens
Character: Self
Released: September 20, 2002
Type: TV
Viens voir les comédiens is a television show on the Canadian French-language arts and culture television network ARTV.
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Title: Sucré salé
Character: Self
Released: June 3, 2002
Type: TV
Patrice Bélanger and his team are here to give Quebecers a little boost to their lives with this show where fun and pleasure prevail. With a front row seat to events happening across the province, the show is the reference for summer culture. Above and beyond the artists featured, the show puts our entire province in the spotlight.
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Nelligan
Title: Nelligan
Character: Mère supérieure
Released: September 27, 1991
Type: Movie
This historical drama with music examines the life and times of Émile Nelligan, one of the major Canadian poets of the 19th century who struggled through a difficult childhood with the help of his loving mother, only to see his career cut short by tragic circumstances.
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Les Tisserands du pouvoir 2, la révolte
Title: Les Tisserands du pouvoir 2, la révolte
Released: December 16, 1988
Type: Movie
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Les Tisserands du pouvoir
Title: Les Tisserands du pouvoir
Character: Emma Leclair
Released: October 21, 1988
Type: Movie
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The Razor's Edge
Title: The Razor's Edge
Character: Mother
Released: January 2, 1985
Type: Movie
Samar, a child of the war, finds relief from the chaos around her through Egyptian movies she watches on television. Karim, an artist in retreat from life, remains in his apartment in war-torn West Beirut, confident that he is safe in his familiar neighborhood. An unlikely bond is formed between the two as they face the devastating civil war.
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Le crime d'Ovide Plouffe
Title: Le crime d'Ovide Plouffe
Character: Soeur d'Ovide
Released: August 29, 1984
Type: Movie
Ovide Plouffe has married Rita. She still tries to attract other men even after their marriage. Unhappy Ovide feels for Marie - a young French woman he had met. But his catholic background and surrounding can't let him love another woman or divorce from his wife. So Ovide finishes with Marie and plans a trip with Rita hoping for reconciliation. At the last instant he announces to Rita that he can't make the trip. She goes alone. The plane explodes, and Ovide is suspected and arrested for this horrible crime.
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Effraction
Title: Effraction
Character: La barmaid de l'établissement de nuit
Released: April 6, 1983
Type: Movie
During a robbery that goes wrong, Valentin Tralande kills his accomplices and bank customers.
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The Plouffe Family
Title: The Plouffe Family
Character: Cécile
Released: April 7, 1981
Type: Movie
The lives of the average Quebecois Plouffe family during the final years of the depression and through World War II.
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Fantastica
Title: Fantastica
Character: Emma
Released: May 7, 1980
Type: Movie
In this French–Canadian oddity of music and drama, an actress in a traveling musical revue is involved with the show's director until she meets and falls for an aging ecological activist. He too is drawn to her, and together they try to stop a factory from being built over an old-growth forest.
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Bye, See You Monday
Title: Bye, See You Monday
Character: The airline lady
Released: August 21, 1979
Type: Movie
Lucie the Quebecker and Nicole the Frenchwoman with the "funny accent" are both twenty-six, single and share their Montreal apartment as they share their joys and sorrows. The first works in radio, the second in an airline company, and both have a married lover who, every Friday evening, rushes off to a home that has been forsaken for a while, saying: "Bye, see you Monday"...
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Title: Chez Denise
Character: Denise Dussault
Released: February 4, 1979
Type: TV
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15 Nov
Title: 15 Nov
Released: June 16, 1977
Type: Movie
A look at November 15, 1976, the date the Parti Québécois seized power in the provincial elections, a victory that gave rise to an unprecedented outburst of joy at the Center Paul-Sauvé, a place where PQ sympathizers gathered.
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The Late Blossom
Title: The Late Blossom
Character: Marguerite Lapointe-Beaulieu
Released: February 11, 1977
Type: Movie
30-year-old Quebec City native Gisèle lives a quiet life as a secretary without happiness with her parents and siblings. One day, tired of being teased by her office mates, she decides to consult a marriage agency to find her soul mate.
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Je suis loin de toi mignonne
Title: Je suis loin de toi mignonne
Character: Florence
Released: November 3, 1976
Type: Movie
In 1940, two sisters work in an ammunition factory, but dream of marriage.
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Mado
Title: Mado
Character: Lucienne
Released: October 27, 1976
Type: Movie
Middle-aged businessman, Simon Léotard finds his future in jeopardy when his partner Julien commits suicide after having accumulated a mass of debts. Simon's unscrupulous business rival Lépidon offers to save him from bankruptcy by buying his company, at a discount rate. Reluctant to fall into Lépidon's trap, Simon decides to resolve the crisis himself. A prostitute, Mado, provides him with the solution to his problems...
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Gina
Title: Gina
Character: Une actrice
Released: January 23, 1975
Type: Movie
A beautiful stripper hires renowned criminals to exact revenge on those who raped her in her motel room.
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Les beaux dimanches
Title: Les beaux dimanches
Character: Angéline
Released: October 10, 1974
Type: Movie
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Once Upon a Time in the East
Title: Once Upon a Time in the East
Character: Hélène
Released: May 26, 1974
Type: Movie
Two women and a transvestite gay man cross paths in this French Canadian drama. The transvestite is preparing for a drag-queen beauty pageant, and has decided to present himself as Cleopatra. Of the two women, one was just fired from her waitressing job and seeks to go back to work at the nightclub where the beauty pageant is to be held. The other woman's mother has just won one million food stamps.
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Bedmania
Title: Bedmania
Character: Fabienne
Released: April 2, 1974
Type: Movie
A large bed recounts stories from its brief existence. Clumsy burglars, adulterated husbands and wives, homosexuals, lesbians, a lady, and her gigolo, a doctor who tries an erotic measurement machine on his assistant.
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Par le sang des autres
Title: Par le sang des autres
Character: Geneviève Barthélemy
Released: March 7, 1974
Type: Movie
In a little French town everything goes on as usual and people seem friendly and good-natured, until the day two women arrive from Paris. A man gets off the same bus, and that very night he seizes the two women and asks for the most beautiful woman in town as their ransom. After the initial shock, the mayor, his brother, the prefect, the police, and the gendarmerie gather around the house where the two woman are imprisoned. It will be a test for everyone and each of them will show his/her real stuff: hypocrisy, meanness, or humanity concealed under their provincial respectability.
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The Death of a Lumberjack
Title: The Death of a Lumberjack
Character: Blanche Bellefeuille
Released: January 25, 1973
Type: Movie
This meditative French-Canadian film tells the story of a young woman's search for the father she has never known. Marie Chapdelaine (Carole Laure) grew up in a remote area of Quebec without ever knowing her father, a lumberjack. She moves to Montreal, settles in there with a job as a topless dancer and begins her search for him. Eventually, with the help of his former mistress, they find the lumber camp he was working in, only to discover that he was killed in a labor dispute.
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Backyard Theatre
Title: Backyard Theatre
Released: January 1, 1973
Type: Movie
Backyard Theatre is a documentary about playwright Michel Tremblay and director André Brassard’s flavourful brand of Quebec theatre, which captured the earthy wit and joual (slang) of Montreal's East End working-class neighbourhood. The film features impromptu improvisation by the cast of Les belles-soeurs and Demain matin, Montréal m'attend, two genre-defining plays.
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Title: Juste Pour Rire - Galas
Character: Self
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: TV