Chien de garde (Family First)

A poignant exploration of the dysfunctional family, Chien de Garde centres on JP (Jean-Simon Leduc), who lives with his brother Vincent (Theodore Pellerin), his mother Joe and his girlfriend Mel in a cramped apartment in the Verdun area of Montreal.

JP’s life is a constant balancing act, as he juggles being a dutiful son and a devoted boyfriend, along with his work at the collection job he does with his brother, and his involvement in the drug cartel that his uncle Dany (a father figure for JP) controls. But the heaviest weight on JP’s shoulders is the responsibility he feels for his impulsive and volatile brother. JP loves Vincent deeply, but is reaching the limit of what he can endure for his sake.

The film was nominated for four Canadian Screen Awards including Best Picture as well as eight Prix Iris, winning three.