Leclerc began his career in the late 1990s, initially working on short films and documentaries. His feature film debut came with Une jeune fille à la fenêtre (A Young Girl at the Window) in 2001. He gained significant critical acclaim for his 2002 film Un crabe dans la tête (A Crab in the Head), which earned him the Genie Award for Best Director and the Jutra Award (now Prix Iris) for Best Film, among other accolades.
He continued to direct critically successful films such as Mémoires affectives (Emotional Arithmetic, 2004), for which he won another Jutra Award for Best Director. Other notable works include Pieds nus dans l'aube (Barefoot at Dawn, 2017), an adaptation of a novel by his father, the famous singer-songwriter Félix Leclerc, and L'Arracheuse de temps (The Time Thief, 2021), a fantasy film adapted from a book by Fred Pellerin.
Throughout his career, Leclerc has established himself as one of Quebec's prominent filmmakers, known for his poetic visual style, strong character development, and ability to blend drama with elements of fantasy or magical realism. His work often delves into the complexities of human relationships and the passage of time.
Selected Filmography
- Une jeune fille à la fenêtre (2001) - Director, Screenwriter
- Un crabe dans la tête (2002) - Director, Screenwriter
- Mémoires affectives (2004) - Director, Screenwriter
- Le guide de la petite vengeance (2006) - Director, Screenwriter
- Une étoile dans la nuit (2009) - Director
- Pieds nus dans l'aube (2017) - Director, Screenwriter
- L'Arracheuse de temps (2021) - Director, Screenwriter
Awards and Nominations
- Genie Awards
- Best Director for Un crabe dans la tête (2003) - Won
- Jutra Awards (Prix Iris)
- Best Film for Un crabe dans la tête (2003) - Won
- Best Director for Un crabe dans la tête (2003) - Nominated
- Best Director for Mémoires affectives (2005) - Won
- Best Film for Mémoires affectives (2005) - Nominated