HERBY
Herby
A film by Antoine Bergevin Richer
Documentaire
2026
90 min
Français avec S-T anglais
Avec Herby Drescher
LOGLINE
Herby breaks free from a troubled past by attempting the impossible: becoming a race car driver in the legendary NASCAR Canada Series.
SYNOPSIS
At 53, Herby decides to revive a long-buried dream: to become a race car driver in the legendary NASCAR Canada Series. An ambitious project for a simple mechanic trying to make his mark in a world dominated by money. In his youth, Herby distinguished himself in local races. He was nicknamed Black Magic because of his driving exploits and because he was the only Black man competing in these stock car races. But for the 18-year-old father, financial resources were lacking, and his aspirations were quickly dashed. Spotted by a criminal network that revolved around racing because of his exceptional driving skills, he agreed to make dubious deliveries in exchange for a better wage than he earned at the family bakery. He then spiraled into delinquency, and then addiction. Drugs, prison, family breakdown: Herby lost everything, including his connection with his daughters, his loved ones, and his self-confidence. Despite everything, his passion for racing remained intact, and his interest in automotive mechanics persisted. With the help of his friend Vick, he made his mark in the world of NASCAR as a mechanic, eventually becoming a crew chief. Charismatic and respected, he gradually rebuilt his life. The arrival of Anna in his life marked a turning point. Thanks to her unwavering support and love, Herby finally regained his sobriety. The couple launched a forklift repair business, which allowed them to save just enough money to enter the NASCAR Canada Series. The documentary follows Herby on this late and transformative journey: his first season as a NASCAR driver, reconnecting with old friends, the wounds of the past, the hopes, and the disappointments. Because while some bonds of trust are reforged, others can also be broken. As the race progresses, the film explores a journey of redemption where racing becomes a metaphor for life: pushing forward, crashing, rebuilding... but also forgiving, forgiving oneself and being forgiven.
Technical information
Duration: 90 minutes
Language: French with English subtitles
Filming: 4k - color
aspect ratio | 5.1 sound
DCP - ProRes - H264
Filming location: Canada (Quebec)
Country of action: Canada (Quebec)
Festivals and awards
n/a
Director
Antoine Bergevin Richer
Biography
The son of an actor and a director, Antoine was captivated at a young age by the frenetic energy of film sets. A versatile videographer, he first honed his skills in corporate video before dedicating himself to cinematography for lightweight video projects such as travel shows like Partir autrement en famille and En marge du monde for TV5, and documentary series like Comment ça va le nord? for ICI Explora. Simultaneously, he made his directing debut with the motorsports show Zone VL. After a series of collaborations with Vital Productions, producer Serge Desrosiers entrusted him with directing the film HERBY, his first feature film. He is currently developing his next docu-fiction feature at Vital Productions.
Filmography
First film
Director's Note
I approached the HERBY project like walking into a beautiful boutique where the items are perfectly displayed to be showcased; a colorful and endearing character, with a unique quest that we can follow in real time. Perfect! "We've got a great short film here!" I exclaimed to my producer.
Except that the beautiful shop had, at the back, a small hidden door leading to a huge, dark, and dusty back room, where the real treasures were stored. That's where the real work began…
Having the opportunity and time to explore the inner workings of a person or subject, to better understand and appreciate what is presented publicly, is for me the essence of documentary filmmaking. And I am grateful to have been able to fully experience this in my first film.
Producer
Serge Desrosiers
Biography
Co-founder, president, and executive producer of Vital Productions, Serge Desrosiers is the producer behind numerous projects, including the documentaries *Mon Oncle Patof* (2021), *Amour Cougar: au-delà du mythe* (2017), and *Lise Watier: une vie à entreprendre* (2014), several short films such as *Pacific Bell* and *Ange & Ovni*, as well as Renée Beaulieu's feature film *Habiter la Maison* (2024). Also a cinematographer, he is a leading figure in the Quebec film industry, where he has worked for nearly 30 years.
In 2009, he co-founded Vital Productions with director and content producer Sandrine Béchade and took a course at HEC in television and film management to add production to his impressive career.
He brings his industry knowledge to Vital Productions' projects while continuing to work as a director of photography. Serge Desrosiers also shares his talents as a public speaker in Los Angeles and Paris, notably at the American Film Market Association and Ciné-Québec. Deeply involved in his community, he has served on the boards of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, the Sainte-Adèle Chamber of Commerce, the CLD des Pays-d'en-Haut, and the Canadian Society of Cinematographers.
Filmography
THE CHRYSALIS, feature-length documentary, in production, 2026
THE LITTLE BROWNED ONE, feature-length documentary, in post-production, 2026
TIGHT LETTUCE, feature film, in post-production, 2026
HERBY, feature-length documentary, in post-production, 2025
ONE LAST SCAR, feature-length documentary, 2025
AT THE FOOT OF THE WALL, feature-length documentary, 2025
WALK IN THE REAL LAND, feature-length documentary, 2024
LIVING IN THE HOUSE, feature film, 2024
PACIFIC BELL, short film, 2022
MERRY SWISSMAS, feature film, 2022
GRO$ LOT, short film, 2022
MY UNCLE PATOF, medium-length documentary, 2021
DOE & WOLF, short film, 2020
THE CROWN: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ADRIANO GOLDMAN, medium-length documentary, 2020
ANGEL & UFO, short film, 2018
COUGAR LOVE: BEYOND THE MYTH, medium-length documentary, 2017
12 WEEKS, short film, 2016
LISE WATIER, A LIFE TO UNDERTAK, feature-length documentary, 2015
Team
Directed by Antoine Bergevin Richer
Screenplay - Antoine Bergevin Richer and Sandrine Béchade
Editing - Antoine Bergevin Richer
Production - Serge Desrosiers
Director of Photography - Frédérick Breton and Serge Desrosiers csc
Musical composition - Rioux, Stock
Sound - Studio Expression - Jérôme Boiteau
Sound design and mixing - Studio Expression - Jérôme Boiteau
Photo gallery
