MONTRÉAL, June 14, 2021 – Vrai today announced four original true crime series, coming soon to its platform. The new documentary and docureality series, to be produced by local talent in collaboration with Quebecor Content, will deal with events that marked Québec’s recent history, impacted local families and communities, and left an imprint on the collective imagination. Packed with plot twists and emotion, these high-adrenaline productions will captivate audiences and keep binge-watchers on the edge of their seats.
Stories that hit close to home
The documentary thriller L’Ordre du Temple solaire, produced by Attraction Images and directed by Jean-François Poisson, will take viewers back to the mid-1990s and tragic events involving the Order of the Solar Temple that shocked the public and caused a stir beyond Québec’s borders. The six 60-minute episodes are sure to surprise and intrigue viewers. They retrace the compelling and disturbing story, going behind the scenes and revealing details that didn’t make the headlines at the time. The events leading up to the massacres will be described in order to depict the victims’ last moments and investigate the element of premeditation in the tragedy. With the coroner’s report, the conclusions of the inquiry and unpublished archives in hand, journalists, witnesses and survivors tell the tale of how Joseph Di Mambro and Luc Jouret led dozens of people to their deaths, and express how deeply affected they are by this terrible story to this day.
Directed by Charles Gervais and produced by Trio Orange, the documentary series Psychopathes : ils sont parmi nous will raise awareness of the threat posed by the psychopaths who live among us. The five 30-minute episodes look at the definition of the personality disorder, with the help of experts, and relate it to true stories that occurred in Québec. They will explore the personality traits of psychopaths, who make up 1% of the population. The vast majority are at large. At the same time, the series uses powerful victim testimonies and striking archival footage to trace the journeys of three notorious psychopathic criminals who have left their mark on Québec’s collective consciousness: Paulo Shaker, Earl Jones and William Fyfe. The series will also look at whether psychopathic personality disorder is reversible or permanent, given that rehabilitation is at the heart of the philosophy of Canada’s judicial system.
The eight 60-minute episodes of the documentary series C’est arrivé près de chez vous, produced by Pixcom, directed by Bernard Nadeau and Sébastien Godron, and written by Isabelle Poissant, travel to eight Québec communities that have been forever marked by homicides. Each episode will feature individuals who have been affected by an unusual crime and will try to understand what happened: what motivates an individual to do the horrific deed, to take the life of a stranger, an acquaintance, a friend, a family member? Author and slammer David Goudreault was moved by the testimonials and created slams related to the cases. This sensitive documentary series will make viewers think by addressing the repercussions and after-effects of violent crime on individuals and communities.
Finally, the documentary series Denis Côté : Suivre son instinct, produced by Notre compagnie de production and directed by Frédéric Gieling and Patricia Beaulieu, will shed light on the colourful and endearing personality of police officer Denis Côté. The five 60-minute episodes follow the career of the Montréal police legend who was at the centre of memorable events in the city’s history. For 30 years, Denis Côté chose to work the street. He was the cop who neutralized the Dawson shooter. He was on the front lines during the Stanley Cup riots in Montréal, the Place Ville-Marie shooting and the shooting of Alain Magloire. He has always followed his instincts and kept his mental balance, despite the traumatic experiences he has gone through in the course of his career. The documentary series revisits some notable historic events and traces the journey of an ordinary man who stepped into extraordinary situations, through his own fascinating stories and the testimony of people who have known him.
Vrai will go live in late summer with thousands of hours of all-French, on-demand content, including more than 40 first-run exclusive original productions by the end of 2021. More announcements coming soon.
About Vrai
Vrai is Videotron’s new streaming platform for unscripted content. It carries original productions of all kinds featuring prominent figures on Québec’s cultural landscape as well as major international brands. Vrai’s wide-ranging selection of French-language lifestyle shows, documentaries and entertainment content is available on demand for unlimited, guilt-free viewing.
About Quebecor Content
Quebecor Content, a wholly owned business unit of Quebecor Media Inc., creates, develops, acquires, distributes and exports distinctive, high-quality audio-visual content, providing consumers with a multi-platform experience via the services of Videotron and TVA Group, and promoting Québec artists at home and abroad.
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Contact
Émilie Ouimet-Maurice | Press Officer, Quebecor Content
emilie.ouimetmaurice@quebecor.com
