Arcand's latest film pulled from Cannes due to editing delays

Quebec filmmaker Denys Arcand has pulled his latest film, The Age of Darkness (L'Âge des ténèbres), from the Cannes Film Festival because of delays in post production.

The Age of Darknessis the last episode in Arcand's trilogy that began with The Decline of the American Empire in 1986 and The Barbarian Invasions (2003).

Annie Tremblay, the spokesperson for distributor Alliance Atlantis, said the editing process was prolonged because Arcand underwent a shoulder operation during the winter.

She says The Age of Darkness is being edited in Paris and is expected to launch in December.

The $7.5-million film, starring Marc Lebreche, is co-produced with France. The story concerns a Quebec government bureaucrat (Lebreche) trapped in a bad marriage and a job that he hates. Diane Kruger, Rufus Wainwright and Macha Grenon co-star in the film.

Arcand is a favourite at the festival, taking place May 16 to 27.The director had planned to premiere his film there.

The Genie award-winning Decline of the American Empire also garnered a critics trophy at Cannes while The Barbarian Invasions captured a screenplay prize at the 2003 festival.It also won an Oscar for best foreign film.

The 66-year-old has directed two dozen films, including Jesus of Montreal and Stardom.