Mario

Story

Synopsis

Set during summer in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine of Quebec, Mario and Simon are two brothers living in a fishing village with their mother, who runs a grocery story, and their father, who runs a fishing business. Mario is ten years old, mute and autistic. He is withdrawn from reality and living in a surreal world that only his older brother Simon and his stuffed coyote share. Mario is very close with and deeply admires his 18 year old brother, whom he depends upon for love and attention. Simon reads Arabian Knights stories to Mario, dresses him in sheik's clothing and they play out imaginary wars in an Arabian style fortress that they built. Everything changes when Helene, a beautiful young tourist comes between the two brothers. Simon falls in love and begins to neglect his brother to spend time with her. Mario feels rejected and discovers what hate and jealously are. He sets about a chain of events that lead to tragedy.

Director

Jean Beaudin

Writers

Jacques Paris, Jean Beaudin, Arlette Dion

Language

English

Country

Canada

Release date

18 October 1984

Ensemble

Cast

• Xavier Norman Petermann

  Mario

• 

  Francis Reddy

  Simon

• Nathalie Chalifour

  Helene

• 

  Jacques Godin

  Father

• 

  Muriel Dutil

  Mother

• 

  Claire Pimparé

  Social worker