The story of Martin Matte : La vie, la mort... eh la la..!
Martin Matte : La vie, la mort... eh la la..! is a one-man comedy special that doesn't shy away from the big stuff — literally. The title itself announces the territory: life, death, and that peculiar French-Canadian shrug that says "what are you gonna do?" Matte, one of Canada's most recognizable comedians, takes the stage to riff on mortality, the randomness of existence, and the small absurdities that fill the space between birth and the end. There's no plot in the traditional sense, but that's precisely the point. This is stand-up as philosophy, or maybe philosophy as stand-up — a performer working through genuine questions about meaning while making you laugh at how ridiculous it all is.
Behind the making of Martin Matte : La vie, la mort... eh la la..!
Directed by Jean-François Blais and released in 2019, Martin Matte : La vie, la mort... eh la la..! arrives as a filmed record of what was likely a live performance, capturing Matte at a particular moment in his career when he'd already established himself as a major voice in Québécois comedy. The production itself is straightforward — a single performer, a stage, and a camera willing to let him breathe. There's no laugh track, no studio audience sweetening, just Matte and his material. The special doesn't chase awards or box-office records in the way a feature film might; instead, it's built on the foundation of Matte's reputation, which had been growing steadily across Canada and French-speaking audiences for years. What makes this release significant is that it captures a distinctly Canadian comedic voice — specifically a Québécois one — at a moment when streaming platforms were beginning to seriously invest in international comedy specials. The choice to film and distribute this work reflects a broader recognition that comedy specials, even those rooted in a specific regional identity, can find an audience far beyond their origin.
What makes Martin Matte : La vie, la mort... eh la la..! stand out
What's striking about this special is how Matte refuses to punch down or rely on easy targets. Instead, he turns the lens inward — examining his own contradictions, his mortality, his place in a universe that doesn't particularly care about his existence. The thing nobody mentions is that comedy about death and meaning can feel heavy-handed or pretentious, but Matte's approach is neither. He's conversational, almost confessional at times, which is the mark of a performer who's spent years honing his craft and learning what actually lands with people. There's a specificity to his observations that makes them universal — the way he'll start with something deeply personal (maybe a memory, maybe a fear) and gradually reveal how it connects to something we all feel. The IMDb rating of 6.4 out of 10 from 121 votes suggests a mixed reception, which isn't surprising for comedy specials; they're subjective in ways that narrative films aren't. What one viewer finds hilarious, another might find too dark or too cerebral. But that variance itself speaks to the fact that Matte isn't playing it safe — he's willing to risk alienating some portion of the audience in service of saying something true, or at least something he genuinely believes.
I keep coming back to the structural choice of the title itself: life, death, and that ellipsis before the resigned "eh la la..!" It's almost a thesis statement. Matte seems to be saying, look, we're all going to die, existence is kind of a mess, and the best we can do is laugh about it and maybe find some connection with other people who are equally confused. That's not cynical — it's almost generous. He's offering his confusion as a bridge to the audience's confusion. The special works because it trusts that audiences are smart enough to sit with discomfort, to laugh at dark material, and to appreciate a performer who's willing to be vulnerable on stage.
Where to stream Martin Matte : La vie, la mort... eh la la..!
Martin Matte : La vie, la mort... eh la la..! is available on Netflix, where it sits alongside thousands of other comedy specials, documentaries, and films. If you're using Movie OTT to track where your favorite titles are streaming, you'll see this special listed there as well — the site aggregates availability across platforms so you don't have to hunt. Netflix's comedy section has become increasingly robust, especially when it comes to international and French-language content, and this special fits naturally into that growing library. The convenience of having it available on a major streaming platform means that audiences who might never catch Matte performing live in Canada can still access his work, which is significant for a comedian whose regional reputation might otherwise limit his reach.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed Martin Matte : La vie, la mort... eh la la..!?
The special was directed by Jean-François Blais and released in 2019. Blais's work captures the performance in a way that honors the stand-up format while translating it effectively to film.
Q: Is Martin Matte : La vie, la mort... eh la la..! a one-man show?
Yes, it's a one-man comedy special featuring Martin Matte performing solo on stage. He's the sole performer, working through his material without support from other cast members.
Q: What is Martin Matte : La vie, la mort... eh la la..! about?
The special tackles themes of life, death, existence, and the absurdities of being human. Matte uses humor to explore mortality and meaning in a conversational, often deeply personal way.
Q: Where can I watch Martin Matte : La vie, la mort... eh la la..!?
The special is currently available on Netflix. You can check Movie OTT's streaming aggregator to confirm current availability and find links to the platform.
Q: What's the IMDb rating for Martin Matte : La vie, la mort... eh la la..!?
The special has an IMDb rating of 6.4 out of 10 based on 121 votes, reflecting the subjective nature of comedy specials and the varied responses from viewers.
Final thoughts on Martin Matte : La vie, la mort... eh la la..!
If you're looking for comedy that doesn't insult your intelligence, that's willing to sit in uncomfortable spaces, and that finds humor in the genuinely difficult parts of being alive, Martin Matte : La vie, la mort... eh la la..! is worth your time. It's not for everyone — comedy rarely is — but it's for anyone who's ever wondered what the point of it all is and decided the answer might just be a good laugh with someone else who's equally bewildered. Matte's special is a reminder that comedy can be both entertaining and meaningful, silly and serious, all at once. Stream it on Netflix, or use Movie OTT to confirm availability in your region. You'll either find yourself nodding along in recognition or scratching your head in confusion. Honestly? Both responses are probably the right ones.