Bonjour Timothy is a 1995 Canadian-New Zealander romantic comedy film directed by Wayne Tourell and starring Dean O'Gorman, Stephen Papps and Sabine Karsenti.
Plot Bonjour Timothy is a coming of age story of a young French-Canadian girl who goes on exchange to Auckland. The story follows Timothy, played by Dean O'Gorman, a young New Zealand boy who develops a crush on Michelle, played by Sabine Karsenti, the young French-Canadian girl from Montreal who is living with his family on her exchange. The story follows Timothy, a social underdog in his school, as he goes through a period of self-discovery, and tries to gain the attention of his crush, Michelle. This story depicts the trials and tribulations associated with being in high school, and the awkward stages that accompany being a young adult.
The New Zealand Film Commission describes Bonjour Timothy as, "In Bonjour Timothy (1995) the underdog wins the affection of the girl against all odds, in a film about coming-of-age anxieties over sex and love" (Aveyard, Moran & Veith 2018).Bonjour Timothy at New Zealand Film Commission
Buzzfeed described Bonjour Timothy as, "The Best Teen Movie You've Never Heard Of."
Cast Dean O'Gorman as Timothy Taylor Stephen Papps as Mr. Blisker Sabine Karsenti as Michelle Dubois Sylvia Rands as Mary Sydney Jackson as Roger Milan Borich as Nathan Angela Bloomfield as Vikki Richard Vette as Derek Raewyn Blade as Ms. Brathwaite Nathaniel Lees as Mr. Wiley Jay Saussey as Melissa Anderson
Production The film was shot largely at and around Avondale College in Auckland, New Zealand.
Film Crew:
Director: Wayne Tourell Producers: Murray Newey, Micheline Charest Writer: David Preston Editor: Jean-Marie Drot Cinematography: Matt Bowkett Production Design: Brett Schwieters Composer: Daniel Scott Costumes: Pauline Bowkett
Awards 1996 Berlin Film Festival; Kinderfilmfest, Children's Jury - Honourable Mention 1995 New Zealand Film and Television Awards; Nominated for Best Director, Best Male in a Dramatic Role (Dean O'Gorman), Best Female in a Dramatic Role (Sylvia Rands) and Best Male Performance in a Supporting Role (Milan Borich) 1995 Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People (Northern Ireland); Best Feature Film 1995 Griffoni Film Festival (Italy); Critics Prize, Nominated for Best Actor (Dean O'Gorman) New Zealand Film Commission
References
External links
Bonjour Timothy at The Film Archive NZ On Screen page