A jovial, randy academic in his 50s (Remy Girard) is dying of cancer. His estranged son (Stephane Rousseau) has returned from abroad to take care of him, and his close friends gather to say farewell.

CANNES — Miramax Films has acquired U.S. distribution rights to “The Barbarian Invasions,” a French-language tragicomedy from Montreal-based filmmaker Denys Arcand. Pricetag was said to be about $1.5 ...

A son scores a private hospital suite and lots of heroin for his dying dad in The Barbarian Invasions, 2003’s Best Foreign Film Oscar winner and sequel to 1986’s The Decline of the American Empire.

One day, you wake up and realize that you are dying. Yes, you were always dying, but you now know with some certainty that it won't be long. This is when they come, your barbarian thoughts, regrets, ...