With an off-competition opening display, once again, only six contestants will compete for the sixth year in a row. However, it is an interesting line-up, with some intriguing (and duplicated?) themes.
The Ontarian company Hands Fireworks will launch the 35th edition with nostalgia, presumably with musics from the mid-1980s. Interestingly, this is only the second appearance of Hands Fireworks in the Montreal International Fireworks Competition, their debut display being in... 1985!
The line-up doesn't include any recruit. We have one Gold Jupiter winner (Atlas, 2012), Silver and Bronze Jupiter winners (Grupo Luso Pirotecnia, Silver 2002 and 2012; BEM, Bronze 2005; Howard & Sons, Silver 2008, Bronze 2011), and contestants who are still looking for their first Jupiter award (Hanwha and Parente). I am particularly excited by the Grupo Luso Pirotecnia, whose previous shows have been especially creative. On the basis of their previous performances, Atlas Pyro Vision and Howard & Sons are certainly two anticipated shows as well.
At least two of these companies have experienced major transportation issues in the past. In 2008, the South Korean Hanwha had to redesign its show with products from local suppliers (mostly GFA, if a correctly remember). In 2018, Howard & Sons cancelled its participation in late June due to the same type of issue. It is not a surprise to discover this Australian entrant on the schedule this year, with the same theme than the one announced in 2018.
The 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 spaceflight to the Moon is a source of inspiration for some of the fireworks designers. BEM Feux d'artifice will fire its show “A First Walk on the Moon” on July 20th, the date of the 50th anniversary of the landing and the first human walk on the lunar surface, which happened the evening of July 20, 1969, at 10:56pm Eastern Time. BEM has previously presented pyromusical displays with strong narratives, and this one is probably no exception. Two weeks before, the Italian company Parente will present “One Step - Moon Dream”, which seems to be inspired by the same event.
I am especially curious to know more about Grupo Luso Pirotecnia's theme, ”Stay tuned.” I predict a soundtrack inspired by radio and/or television, as the term is common in broadcasting.
I wonder to what extent Montreal will be the focus of the South Korean show. The French title (“Rêver à Montréal”) is less precise than the English one (“Dreaming in Montreal”). It could be about Montréal or anything else. I also wonder what the soundtrack of the closing show will be (artists who have performed at the Casino, maybe?). This theme is somewhat a departure from what the “Finale des étoiles” series is, that is, a tribute to a famous artist or group. The corporate concerns are obvious here, as the Casino is owned and operated by Loto-Québec, the Montreal competition sponsor. Well, the partnership between Rozzi's Famous Fireworks and Panzera had led to interesting shows in the previous years, so let's be optimistic!
I can't wait for the beginning of this new season!
Fred | 
Page 2 of 2: « Previous 1 