Sophie Deraspe

Sophie Deraspe
Born (1973-10-27) October 27, 1973 (age 50)
Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec, Canada
Occupation(s)Film and TV director, scenarist, director of photography and producer
Years active2006—
Notable workAntigone, The Amina Profile, Vital Signs

Sophie Deraspe (born October 27, 1973) is a Canadian director, scenarist, director of photography and producer. Prominent in new Quebec cinema, she is known for a 2015 documentary The Amina Profile,[1] an exploration of the Amina Abdallah Arraf al Omari hoax of 2011. She had previously written and directed the narrative feature films Missing Victor Pellerin (Rechercher Victor Pellerin) in 2006,[2] Vital Signs (Les Signes vitaux) in 2009,[3] The Wolves (Les Loups) in 2015,[4]

In 2019 she wrote, directed and shot Antigone, inspired by the 2008 death of Fredy Villanueva in Montreal and loosely adapting the play by Sophocles, saying the story of a woman who defies the law for something greater resonated with her, and she wished to update it.[5][6] The film, starring Nahéma Ricci, premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and won the festival's award for Best Canadian Film.[7][8] Antigone was chosen to represent Canada in the 2019 Oscars race.[9]

Nominated in 15 categories, her first TV series Dark Soul (Bête noire) won four Gémeaux Awards in 2021, including Best TV Drama Series and Best Director (Drama series). The USA, Australia, France and Norway bought the broadcasting rights and more countries will be added. Her latest TV series, Paradise Motel (Motel Paradis), will be broadcast in 2022.

Deraspe characterizes her work, which often deals with contemporary art, as "constantly questioning limits, particularly those related to representation, as well as the boundaries of reality and fiction."

Sophie Deraspe has been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in 2020.[10] In 2021 she has received the title Compagne de l'Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec.[11]

  1. ^ "Online Hoax: Sophie Deraspe Discusses Her Sundance Doc 'The Amina Profile'". Filmmaker. January 28, 2015.
  2. ^ "Nothing what it seems in twisting tale of missing artist". Toronto Star. March 2, 2007.
  3. ^ "Quebec director Sophie Deraspe wrote, directed and shot Borsos winner". Vancouver Sun. December 7, 2009.
  4. ^ ""Les loups" de Sophie Deraspe ouvrira les Rendez-vous du cinema quebecois" (in French). Canadian Press. 26 November 2014.
  5. ^ Roy, Marie-Josée (19 February 2016). "Sophie Deraspe amènera Antigone au cinéma québécois (Entrevue)". The Huffington Post (in French). Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  6. ^ "La droiture d'Antigone, de Sophie Deraspe" (in French). Radio-Canada. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  7. ^ Vlessing, Etan (15 September 2019). "Toronto: Taika Waititi's 'Jojo Rabbit' Wins Audience Award". The Hollywood Reporter.
  8. ^ Hertz, Barry (July 31, 2019). "TIFF 2019: Toronto festival's Canadian lineup a mix of familiar faces, exciting rookies and a starring role for David Cronenberg". The Globe and Mail.
  9. ^ "Canada Selects TIFF Winner 'Antigone' For Oscar Race". Deadline. September 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "Academy Invites 819 to Membership". 30 June 2020.
  11. ^ "Sophie Desrape | Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec".