Funkytown (2011)

Set against the glitzy backdrop of 1976 Montréal, Funkytown unfurls the vibrant narrative tapestry of a diverse group of characters, all gravitating towards the city's pulsating heart at Starlight, the reigning disco palace. The world of disco is king, and the Starlight serves as its opulent throne room, where dreams are spun, lives interweave, and destinies are sculpted on the dance floor. At the center of it all, we find Bastien Lavallée, the shining star of the city. Once a serious actor, he now reigns as the charismatic radio DJ and host of Disco Dance Party, the hottest television show around. His success, fueled by a potent mix of fame, excesses, and a relentless cocaine habit, comes with a price - his forsaken dreams, a strained relationship with his devoted daughter Cynthia, and rising tension with his wife Connie. The Starlight is owned by the business-savvy Daniel Lefebvre, but beneath the glimmering surface, he struggles with the overbearing control of his domineering father Gilles, a record producer who financed the discotheque. The Montréal disco scene is further enriched by Jonathan Aaronson, the flamboyantly gay trend-setter, and Tina and Tino, the dynamic dance duo who rule the dance floor with their electrifying moves. While the characters revel in the hedonistic disco era, personal battles simmer beneath the surface. Tino grapples with his hidden homosexuality and familial expectations, Adriana exploits her beauty to climb the social ladder, and Mimi, a former client of Gilles, faces a career slump as her music fails to keep up with the disco fever. As the narrative progresses, the cultural landscape of Québec shifts with the rise of the Parti Québécois, and the disco craze begins to fade, overtaken by the new wave music. The characters who once appeared invincible under the disco lights face stark reality as past indiscretions resurface, the impending AIDS crisis looms, and their once-promising futures look increasingly uncertain. Funkytown offers an immersive journey into a time of seismic change, tracing the lives of its characters as they navigate through the glittering highs and sobering lows of the disco era. The story revolves around Bastien, whose larger-than-life persona encapsulates the spirit of the '70s, making him the central figure in this captivating tale of ambition, excess, and transformation. In the heart of Montréal, under the pulsating beat of disco, the bright future once promised seems to give way to a new rhythm of life.

Funkytown is a drama movie featuring Patrick Huard and directed by Daniel Roby.

Funkytown is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on The Roku Channel.

It is also possible to buy Funkytown on Amazon Video, Apple TV and Vudu.