Québécois Family Drama ‘Last Summers of the Raspberries’ Scores Berlinale/Series Mania Double

variety.com:

JD Linville Canadian director Philippe Falardeau (“Monsieur Lazhar”) and screenwriter Florence Longpré, who has “Audrey’s Back” at April’s Canneseries, have teamed up on new series “Last Summers of the Raspberries” which pulled off the rare feat of screening at Berlinale Series, before being selected for Series Mania, where it will compete in the International Panorama.The heartfelt drama follows Élizabeth, played by Sandrine Bisson (“Le bonheur”), who stands to inherit and run her husband’s ranch when he suddenly dies.

Learning to overcome the pain of her loss, Élizabeth will have to find her late husband in the hearts of those he touched.“Last Summers of the Raspberries” is set in rural Quebec and uses the unique language demographics of the region to bring humor and playfulness to the series’ inciting tragedy.

Falardeau, whose film “It’s Not Me, I Swear!”landed him a Crystal Bear in 2009, is no stranger to framing tension around the family unit and uses cinematic flourish to bring Longpré’s comedic timing to life.

Variety spoke with Falardeau ahead of Series Mania.The series has comedy and tragedy tightly interwoven, right from the start.