Nelligan (film)

Nelligan is a 1991 Canadian biographical film about the life of Émile Nelligan, a famous Quebecois poet. Directed by Robert Favreau, the film explores Nelligan's early life, his struggles with mental illness, and his subsequent institutionalization.

The film portrays Nelligan as a young, sensitive artist torn between his passion for poetry and the expectations of his family and society. It depicts his burgeoning talent, his bohemian lifestyle in Montreal, and the gradual onset of schizophrenia that led to his confinement in an asylum for the remainder of his life.

Marc Saint-Pierre plays the role of Émile Nelligan. The film utilizes flashbacks and dream sequences to delve into Nelligan's internal world and the sources of his artistic inspiration and mental distress. The film's soundtrack incorporates musical interpretations of Nelligan's poems.

Nelligan received several Genie Award nominations, including Best Motion Picture and Best Director. It is considered an important contribution to Quebec cinema and a poignant depiction of a tragic literary figure.