What we see on screen and on stage fuels the collective imagination. In 2017, the #metoo movement completely changed the way intimacy and sexuality are represented in artistic spheres. Collectively, we defined the gray areas of consent, made room for non-heteronormative relationships, and gave prominence to female roles and voices in our cultural output. But is that enough? Are we getting the sex scenes we deserve in 2025?
Author, screenwriter, host, and actress Sarah-Maude Beauchesne—who has extensively addressed feminism and sexuality in her works—has been invited to dissect the issue. Joining her will be her colleague, author and actor François Létourneau, known for his Quebec television hits that depict our society’s ills in an intelligent and distinctly humorous way. Talented actress Alice Pascual—seen in several theatrical, film, and television productions—will join them to talk about acting. Julie Lavigne, historian and professor in UQÀM’s Department of Sexology, will also share her research on the representation of sexuality in contemporary art.
Organized by Place des Arts, Entretiens arts et société hosted by Rose-Aimée Automne T. Morin bring together speakers from various social and cultural spheres to discuss current topics of interest that resonate through society. Join the discussion to set the world right over a drink!
Sarah-Maude Beauchesne
Sarah-Maude Beauchesne became known for her literary blog Les Fourchettes, which was published as a collection by Éditions Hurtubise in 2020 and adapted as a web series in which she played herself. The author then published several young adult novels, including Coeur de slush, which was adapted to the screen. For a wider audience, she then wrote La Madrague (2020), Au lac d’amour (2021), Faire la romance (2023) in addition to writing her monthly column in Elle Québec magazine. Her podcast Entre filles, which addresses the search for oneself, can be heard on OHdio. More recently, she co-wrote and starred in the series Bellefleur, which focuses on modern men.
François Létourneau
Well-known writer and engaging actor François Létourneau made his theatrical debut with his plays Stampede (2001) and Cheech ou Les hommes de Chrysler en ville (2003). He has appeared in numerous productions, including Québec-Montréal, Paul à Québec, Les hauts et les bas de Sophie Paquin, to name but a few. He won Gémeaux Awards for Best Writing in a Drama for his cult series Les Invincibles, Série noire and C’est comme ça que je t’aime, in which he plays unforgettable characters.
Julie Lavigne
Julie Lavigne is a historian and professor in the Department of Sexology at UQÀM and a member professor of the Réseau québécois en études féministes (Quebec Network for Feminist Studies) and the Institut d’études et de recherches féministes (Institute for Feminist Studies and Research). Her research focuses on the representation of sexuality in contemporary art, in television series, and in queer feminist pornography. Éditions du Remue-ménage published her book La traversée de la pornographie: Politique et érotisme dans l’art féministe in 2014.
Alice Pascual
A 2009 graduate of the Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Montréal, Alice Pascual has graced the boards of several theatres, with over twenty roles to her credit. She has also been seen on the small screen in the series Moi non plus!, La Faille, Trop, Épidémie, Prémonitions, O', Nouvelle adresse, 30 vies, Yamaska, and Toute la vérité, in addition to having played a character in Sarah-Maude Beauchesne's web series Les Fourchettes. In film, she has worked alongside Mariana Mazza in MARIA and with Xavier Dolan in his film Matt & Max.
