Rosalie Bonenfant took center stage at the Place des Arts for the premiere of Villeneuve: L’ascension d’une légende during the Festival CINEMANIA, stepping out for her biggest cinematic role yet while balancing family milestones and a deeply personal recent loss, 7jours.ca reported.
Rosalie Bonenfant Stars in the Biographical Feature
- Rosalie Bonenfant stars as Joann Villeneuve in the biographical feature, receiving family support at the November 9 premiere.
- The film’s ensemble cast features notable performances from Rémi Goulet, Pierre-Alexis St-Georges, Patrice Robitaille, Anick Lemay, and Fabien Cloutier.
- Anick Lemay looks ahead to a new television project and Fabien Cloutier looks ahead to a planned break in 2027.
Stepping Into Character
Holding the pivotal role of Joann Villeneuve in the biographical feature, Rosalie Bonenfant leaned on her loved ones during the high-profile screening. Her mother, Mélanie Maynard, and younger brother, Louis-Thomas, attended the event to show their backing.
Mélanie Maynard, host of Sucré Salé, attended while mourning the loss of her own mother, Denise, who passed away on November 2 at age 95, according to 7jours.ca. Out of respect for the family’s grief, the host did not grant interviews during the evening, though she paused for photographers alongside her daughter.
For Bonenfant, the project represents a major career milestone. “I had the chance to play in this film a woman who is still alive,” Bonenfant told 7jours.ca. “I didn’t want to fall into imitation. I preferred instead for the spectators to feel her involvement, her resilience, and her support toward her spouse, Gilles Villeneuve.”
The production also introduced her to co-star Rémi Goulet, with whom she built a strong working relationship. Beyond the film release, Bonenfant prepares for a packed winter slate, including a new hosting venture at Télé-Québec and a return to Deux hommes en or et Rosalie in January.
Quiet Support on the Red Carpet
A lingering rumor indicates that she has shared her life for several years with Jean-Philippe Wauthier. The television host attended the Place des Arts gathering to support her, though he declined to walk the red carpet or speak with reporters, 7jours.ca reported.
Pierre-Alexis St-Georges and Patrice Robitaille Discuss Their Roles
Pierre-Alexis St-Georges plays Roland Bernard, an childhood friend who became Gilles Villeneuve’s first rival. “For me, the filming of this film spanned a period of three years,” St-Georges told 7jours.ca. The young actor also manages a busy television schedule on the Radio-Canada daily series Dumas, playing computer specialist Jérôme Leclerc, though he admitted he avoids watching himself on screen.
Patrice Robitaille stepped into the role of Seville Villeneuve, the driver’s father. “It was incredible to play in this film which had the means of its ambitions,” Robitaille told 7jours.ca. He attended the premiere with his partner of 15 years, Audrey, taking a rare evening out while their daughters manage at home. Robitaille continues filming on the Radio-Canada daily series Antigang as sergeant-detective Jean-François Bégin.
| Cast Member | Film Role | Upcoming Projects Mentioned |
|---|---|---|
| Rosalie Bonenfant | Joann Villeneuve | New Télé-Québec project, Deux hommes en or et Rosalie (January) |
| Patrice Robitaille | Seville Villeneuve | Antigang (Radio-Canada daily) |
| Anick Lemay | Georgette Coupal | Le gouffre lumineux (January 2027, Radio-Canada) |
| Fabien Cloutier | Roger (mechanic) | Antigang, planned sabbatical in 2027 |
| Caroline Néron | Claude Coupal | STAT (Season 5), Prescott (Season 2, 2027) |
Anick Lemay Prepares for New Series and Personal Milestones
Anick Lemay portrays Georgette Coupal, the mother of Gilles Villeneuve. Outside of her cinematic work, the actress spent the autumn months as a caregiver for a close relative, noting she hopes the coming season brings a calmer pace, 7jours.ca reported.
Lemay looks forward to the January 2027 premiere of her series Le gouffre lumineux on Radio-Canada, a project drawn from her personal battle with breast cancer that she developed over five years. On the home front, her 19-year-old daughter Simone prepares to apply to theater school next year.
Fabien Cloutier attended the premiere alongside his partner, singer Maude Audet. Cloutier plays Roger, the mechanic to the film’s central driver. “It was fun to shoot in winter and to see old snowmobiles running,” Cloutier told 7jours.ca. Alongside his role as sergeant Tommy Nadeau in Antigang, the actor plans to take a true several-month break in 2027 following two consecutive years of daily television and summer theater work.
Caroline Néron appeared at the event alongside her older daughter, actress Emanuelle Gagné-Néron. Alongside her work on the hospital drama, Néron continues filming the second season of the crime thriller Prescott, slated for release in 2027 on illico+, according to 7jours.ca.
