Film in Pictures: Xavier Dolan’s Laurence Anyways

As we begin to prep our 2012 Cannes predictions list (scheduled for next week), we’ve come across some stills for Xavier Dolan’s Laurence Anyways. His third film, will likely be a strong contender for a showing at a festival where he got to showcase his first pair of films (J’ai tue ma mere, Les Amours imaginaires).

Below we find the film’s principle player Melvil Poupaud in various states of what appears to be a mental, emotional and physical metamorphosis along with Suzanne Clément (who played a supporting character role of a teacher in, I Killed My Mother), French thesp Nathalie Baye and the final pic of the batch is Dolan working behind the camera – unlike his previous works, he won’t be appearing in this one.

Here’s the synopsis: In 1989, Laurence (Poupaud) celebrates its 30th anniversary at the restaurant with Fred (Suzanne Clément), his girlfriend. When he reveals his secret desire of becoming a woman, it rocks their world. After his reflection among family, Fred agrees to accompany Laurence throughout the metamorphosis. In January 1990, he goes back to working as a professor where he teaches literature and is dressed as a woman. A new life begins. But despite this happy beginning, the weight of social stigma, family rejection and the incompatibility within the couple becomes toxic. Lies, secrets and backstabbing are part of the modus vivendi of Laurence and Fred, who are firing on all cylinders to save their love.