Solo

Please note: You must be 19 or older to attend this program, as the venue Fifth Avenue Cinemas serves alcohol and restricts admittance to 19+.

Fading in on a high-octane performance of ABBA’s “Voulez-Vous”, Solo begins with a question of desire for its young protagonist Simon, a drag queen at a local gay bar in Montreal by night and makeup artist by day. Just as Simon strikes a romance with the handsome new drag artist in town Olivier (Félix Maritaud), his long-estranged mother Claire (Anne-Marie Cadieux)–a famous opera singer–returns to his life. Simon yearns to reconnect with his mother, who remains distant as she rehearses for her upcoming show. Meanwhile, Simon’s relationship with Olivier deepens on-stage as duet partners and off-stage at intoxicated parties. Seeking the approval of two mercurial artists, Simon is left wondering what he truly wants for himself in art and life.

Winner of TIFF 2023’s Best Canadian Film, Solo from writer-director Sophie Dupuis is a sensitive portrait of a young artist finding his creative footing and navigating romantic and familial relationships in young adulthood. Punctuated by glimmering drag numbers and sumptuous costumes, the film is buoyed by a tender, nuanced performance from Théodore Pellerin as Simon.

“When I first encountered Solo approximately a year ago, it resonated with me in a way that lingered long after the credits rolled. Théodore Pellerin’s portrayal of the protagonist Simon is deeply poignant, capturing his yearning for belonging and acceptance from those he holds most dear with remarkable depth and authenticity. This profound desire to be understood is universal but strikes a particular chord with those of us in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Montreal’s drag scene, this film offers a captivating glimpse into the world of drag, an art form that is uniquely queer and emotive. This film was as entertaining as it was emotionally compelling. When Out On Screen was approached to program a film for CanFilmDay 2025, Solo felt like the perfect film to bring together Canadian film audiences with drag and queer audiences for a story that we all can relate to and cherish.”

– Mary Galloway, Artistic Director

Tickets to this screening are by donation/Pay-What-You-Can! Click “Get Tickets” above and select the ticket price you would like to pay.

• $28.00 – Standard price + donation
• $17.00 – Standard price
• $12.00 – Access price
• FREE