Creators Who Inspire: Meet Cathleen Rouleau

There’s no shortage of artists with impressive material based on their personal lives. But when writer, actor, and producer Cathleen Rouleau goes there, it’s game, set, and match. 

Rouleau’s goal in creating the Just for Entertainment (formerly ComediHa!), CMF-funded series About Antoine (originally titled À propos d’Antoine) was to show what life is like for a family where one of the children has multiple disabilities. In this case, Antoine happens to be her stepson, Antoine Parent-Bédard, a disabled, non-verbal autistic teenager with an intellectual disability and severe epilepsy. While life at home is not always peace in the valley, it’s far from having to ascend a sheer rockface on a daily basis. 

“Our lives may not be banal,” Rouleau said. “But we do laugh, have fun, and we’re always elated whenever Antoine makes a breakthrough. Yes, there is sadness sometimes, but that’s part of any life. And yes, it can get very challenging, but it’s also beautiful, joyful, and wonderful!” 

Rouleau is currently developing a sequel to the series, which may take the form of either four new episodes or a film. 

To break down stereotypes, Rouleau, a graduate of the École nationale de l’humour, made it very clear from the get-go that the series must focus on comedy above all as a non-negotiable proviso. With a tight script that segues seamlessly between laughter and tears, she managed to get broadcaster Club illico, director Podz, and even veteran actor Claude Legault—who hadn't been seen on a set for an extended period due to burn-out—to come on board. 

In the title role of Antoine is Rouleau’s stepson himself—it even became something like a mission for his entourage. “Right from the start, the whole family bought into the idea of Antoine playing himself,” she said. “I wrote the series with this especially in mind. I know how Antoine reacts in certain situations. I know how to get him to close his eyes if we have to shoot a scene of him sleeping. I also know I can get him to laugh in a certain way. Everything was written on that basis, and on set we can tweak things when adjustments are needed.” 

For Rouleau, who’s taking on a leading role as well as writing the series, À propos d’Antoine is not just another artistic project. It’s also a very personal one she has a lot riding on, and one she is most proud of. The enthusiastic reception from the public and the community has far exceeded anything she could have imagined. After taking home awards at Cannes and La Rochelle, the series was picked up by France Télévisions, and the camera is now rolling on season 2. Antoine Parent-Bédard was even nominated for a Gémeaux Award last fall. In many ways, Rouleau can already say “mission accomplished.” 

“Looking back, what I’m most proud of is having given Antoine the opportunity to be a part of society like anyone else,” said Rouleau. “He’s raising awareness about people like him and how they live. He’s recognized when we’re out walking. People come over and say hello. It’s as if a barrier has come down and the world has opened up for him. I get emotional every time. I can’t think of any other project that I could do that would mean this much to me.” 

Martin Grenier

More from this author