Atikamekw Suns
The mission of the Centre d'art et essai de la Cinémathèque québécoise (CAECQ) is to primary program Quebec-made documentaries and independent fiction, as well as international documentaries, animated and foreign films, while encouraging opportunities for meetings between the public and the artists. Its programming is presented in conjunction with the Cinémathèque québécoise’s under the label New releases.
The April 7 and 14 screenings will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker
Winner of the Audience Award - Best French-language Feature Film, 2023 FNC
On June 26, 1977, a vehicle drives into a river outside the Atikamekw community of Manawan in northern Quebec. Two Whites survive the accident, but five Atikamekw lose their lives. The police conclude it was an accident, but for the victims’ families, many questions remain unanswered. A historical and poetic story — choral in structure, a hybrid between documentary and fiction — Atikamekw Suns is freely inspired by the dreams, impressions, and memories of the victims’ loved ones.
Chloé Leriche
Chloé Leriche was born in Quebec (Canada) in 1974. A self-taught filmmaker, she has written, directed, edited, and produced films and videos since 1999. Her work has been presented at numerous international festivals. She has participated in more than 200 short films as a filmmaker-instructor and assisted First Nations’ youths in producing their works with the Wapikoni Mobile production centre on wheels. These collaborations gave rise to her first feature film, Before the Streets (Avant les rues) which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2016 and went on to garner prizes around the world. Soleils Atikamekw (Atikamekw Suns), Chloé Leriche’s second feature, was again produced in collaboration with the Atikamekw community of Manawan, Quebec.
Bio & photo : FunFilm Distribution