Old Guys in Bed: Jean-Pierre Bergeron Makes His Directorial Debut with a Bold and Personal Film
Jean-Pierre Bergeron Steps Behind the Camera for His First Feature
Known for his decades-long acting career in film and television, Jean-Pierre Bergeron is making a powerful shift to the director’s chair with his first feature film, Old Guys in Bed. More than a decade after his acclaimed short Alone with Mr. Carter, which starred Robert Naylor, Bergeron returns to filmmaking to explore the rarely portrayed intricacies of love, aging, and intimacy among older gay men in the digital age. While the movie’s commercial release in Quebec and broader Canada is still pending, Old Guys in Bed is set to premiere worldwide on August 3 at the Fantasia Festival.
A Film Born from Creative Challenges
Bringing this project to life was anything but easy. Bergeron reflects on the years following his award-winning short film: “After Alone with Mr. Carter, I thought raising a $1 million budget would be easy.” However, after nearly eight years of unsuccessful attempts to fund a trilogy, Bergeron made a pivotal decision. He wrote a deeply personal and low-budget script—crafted for minimal locations and a small cast—to create a story that was both manageable and emotionally impactful. The result is a raw, compelling film rooted in human connection and resilience.
Shining a Light on Underrepresented Stories
Old Guys in Bed offers a rare cinematic spotlight on elder gay experiences, a demographic often overlooked by mainstream media. Bergeron explains, “It gives voice to the thousands of older gay men who navigate relationships, vulnerability, and trust, especially in online environments.” Through an honest and compassionate lens, the film reveals an emotional truth that resonates with a marginalized yet vibrant part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Influences from Queer Cinema History
One of Bergeron’s major inspirations is John Schlesinger’s landmark film Sunday Bloody Sunday, which featured a then-controversial same-sex kiss. “It was the first time I saw that kind of tenderness on screen,” Bergeron recalls. Determined to carry that legacy forward, he includes a similar moment in his own film—a poignant kiss between two older men. He goes a step further by featuring a full, unapologetically exposed shot of an older male body as a deliberate and political choice. “It’s my response to Roger Vadim showing Brigitte Bardot’s back in And God Created Woman. Why not do the same for an older man?”
A Film That Parallels Personal Growth
Premiering Old Guys in Bed also marked a personal milestone for Bergeron: publicly coming out as gay. While he had long been out in his private circle, he chose the film’s release as the moment for his public declaration. “I was afraid it might limit my acting roles,” he admits. But to his surprise, coming out expanded his opportunities. He later portrayed a trans woman in Complexe G and an older gay character in Faits divers, highlighting the diverse roles that followed.
Still in Front of the Camera
Though he’s stepping into directing, Bergeron hasn’t left acting behind. He’s set to appear in La dernière communion alongside Guy Jodoin and Fayolle Jean, portraying a former monk seeking a lost love. With a smile, he notes the irony: “I’m playing a grumpy straight man, while Guy—who’s straight—plays a gay character.”
Challenging Taboos Around Gerontophilia
Never one to avoid controversial topics, Bergeron speaks candidly about his attraction to older men, a reality often misinterpreted or dismissed. “People would joke that my partners might drop dead,” he laughs. But he’s quick to correct misunderstandings: “It’s not about seeking a father figure. It’s not pathological—it’s simply a preference.” By including this perspective in his film, Bergeron aims to dismantle taboos and normalize all adult relationships based on mutual respect and consent.
Note: Old Guys in Bed will premiere on Sunday, August 3 at 7:00 PM at Cinéma du Musée during the 29th edition of the Fantasia Festival. A wider theatrical release is still to be announced.