In The Future Wealth Will Be Measured In Mushrooms. A Trailer For TRUFFE.

In a near and uneasy future, global warming has had an unexpected impact on the city of Montreal. Very suddenly, the ground of the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district has begun sprouting vast quantities of precious, pricey truffles. They are an immediate sensation worldwide with gourmands, bringing prosperity to Montrealers. When a fur-stole factory sets up shop in the neighbourhood, no one doubts that it’s a front for a greedy corporation seeking a monopoly over the valuable truffles. Before long, the earth begins to give up the last of its riches and poverty returns to the working class. The enigmatic company does have one challenger—Charles (Roy Dupuis), an independent truffle-hunter with an exceptional sense of smell, permitting him to make great hauls of truffles. Ready to do anything to block the competition, the company sets in motion furious diabolical plots to undo Charles and his companion Alice (Céline Bonnier). Alone again the powerful organization, the couple can count on none but themselves to survive.

So goes the pitch for Truffe, the opening night film of Fantasia 2008 from director Kim Nguyen. And, yes, the trailer is every bit as strange and compelling as that write up, loaded with gorgeous black and white imagery that evokes equal parts Jean Pierre Jeunet and Jim Jarmusch. The mere presence of Roy Dupuis - a man who truly deserves to be a major international star - was enough to attract my attention to this, and the trailer seals the deal. Check it out in the ScreenAnarchy Player below the break.