Kuessipan is a Canadian drama film, directed by Myriam Verreault and released in 2019.[2] An adaptation of Naomi Fontaine's eponymous novel, the script was co-written by Fontaine and Verreault.[3] Its plot centres on Mikuan (Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao) and Shaniss (Yamie Grégoire), two young Innu women in Uashat-Maliotenam, whose friendship is strained when Mikuan falls in love with a white man (Étienne Galloy) and plans to move away.[4]
Kuessipan | |
---|---|
Film poster | |
Directed by | Myriam Verreault |
Written by | Myriam Verreault Naomi Fontaine |
Based on | Kuessipan by Naomi Fontaine |
Produced by | Félize Frappier |
Starring | Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao Yamie Grégoire Étienne Galloy |
Cinematography | Nicolas Canniccioni |
Edited by | Amélie Labrèche Sophie Leblond Myriam Verreault |
Music by | Louis-Jean Cormier |
Production company | Max Films Media |
Distributed by | Filmoption |
Release date | |
Running time | 117 minutes |
Country | Canada |
Languages | French Innu-aimun |
The film premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and was a critical success, garnering praise for its cast and portrayal of Indigenous lives. Its theatrical release on October 4, 2019.
Plot
editThe film centers on Mikuan and Shaniss, two childhood friends who grow up together in Uashat. Their lives diverge during high school, when Shaniss drops out and has a baby with her abusive boyfriend Greg while Mikuan plans to move away from the reservation and attend university in Quebec City so that she can follow her dream of becoming a writer.
When Mikuan begins dating Francis, a white boy from her writing workshop, her friendship with Shaniss becomes strained. Mikuan helps Shaniss move out from Greg, but they argue after Shaniss accuses Mikuan of rejecting her culture by entering a relationship with Francis and planning to move away.
Mikuan's life is disrupted by the sudden death of her brother, a promising hockey player, and her break up with Francis. She and Shaniss eventually revive their friendship but their lives diverge, as Mikuan becomes a successful author and writes a book about Shaniss.
Cast
edit- Sharon Fontaine-Ishpataoas as Mikuan
- Yamie Grégoire as Shaniss
- Étienne Galloy as Francis
- Douglas Grégoire as Greg
- Brigitte Poupart as Enseignante
Production
editDevelopment
editThe title of the film and eponymous novel is an Innu-aimun word meaning "it's your turn", which Fontaine meant to mean "it’s my turn to talk, my turn for my people and I to talk about our community."[5] Verreault approached Fontaine after reading her novel Kuessipan in 2012 and being "deeply affected" by it.[6] Verreault had previously lived and worked with the Innu community and produced short films about the Innu communities on the North Shore.[7] The two agreed to make a film adaptation together,[6] and co-wrote the film's script together.[8]
The original novel is a collection of stories based on Fontaine's experiences growing up in Uashat.[9] Verreault described the book as "not at all adaptable" to film, so she and Fontaine went through a process of creating a singular narrative that captured the themes of the book.[10] Several changes were made from the original novel to adapt it for the screen, including the creation of Mikuan and Shaniss, who are not present in the novel.[11] Production and development of the film took seven years.[9]
Casting
editThe cast mostly included non-professional actors,[6] from the Uashat community.[12] Over 400 Innu actors took part in the casting process, with Verreault personally meeting with 200 of them. Twenty actors auditioned for the role of Mikuan, with fifteen actors auditioning for the role of Shaniss. Verreault invited three potential candidates for the role of Shaniss and two for the role of Mikuan to take part in a two-week workshop, after which Fontaine-Ishpatao and Grégoire were cast.[11] The film was Fontaine-Ishpatao's debut role.[12]
Filming
editCinematographer Nicolas Canniccioni and Verreault shot the film in Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam and Sept-Îles, Quebec.[13] It was shot in the French and Innu-aimun languages.[14]
Release
editThe film premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival.[2] Its theatrical release in Quebec was held on October 4, 2019.[6]
Reception
editThe film has a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating universal critical acclaim.[15] Sara Clements of Exclaim! gave the film an 8 out of 10, writing that the film focused on an Indigenous perspective to portray the culture and experiences of the Innu people.[16]
Anne T. Donahue of The Globe and Mail gave the film 4 out of 4 stars, describing the performances of Fontaine-Ishpatao and Grégoire as "raw and unflinching".[17] Erica Commanda of Muskrat Magazine also praised their performances, which she wrote were "down-to-earth and realistic".[18]
Awards and nominations
editAt the 2019 Vancouver International Film Festival, Myriam Verreault received a special mention for Kuessipan in the Emerging Canadian Director category.[19]
Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Result | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canadian Cinema Editors | 2 October 2020 | Best Editing in a Feature Film | Amélie Labrèche, Myriam Verreault and Sophie Leblond | Won | [20] |
Canadian Screen Awards | 28 May 2020 | Best Supporting Actor | Douglas Grégoire | Nominated | [21] |
Best Supporting Actress | Yamie Grégoire | Nominated | |||
Best Adapted Screenplay | Myriam Verreault, Naomi Fontaine | Nominated | |||
Prix collégial du cinéma québécois | 2020 | Best Film | Kuessipan | Nominated | [22] |
Prix Iris | 10 June 2020 | Best Film | Félize Frappier | Nominated | [23] |
Best Director | Myriam Verreault | Nominated | |||
Best Screenplay | Myriam Verreault, Naomi Fontaine | Nominated | |||
Best Cinematography | Nicolas Canniccioni | Nominated | |||
Revelation of the Year | Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao | Nominated | |||
Best Casting | Jacinthe Beaudet, Tobie Fraser, Geneviève Hébert, Myriam Verreault | Nominated | |||
Most Successful Film Outside Quebec | Nominated | ||||
Québec City Film Festival | 12–21 September 2019 | Grand Prix de la Compétition – Long métrage | Won | [24] | |
Windsor International Film Festival | 1–10 November 2019 | Prize in Canadian Film | Won | [25] | |
Trophées francophone du cinéma | 2021 | Prix du meilleur second rôle féminin | Yamie Grégoire | Won | [26] |
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle | 2021 | Special Citation in Independent Cinema | Kuessipan | Won | [27] |
Festival de cinéma québécois de Biscarosse | 2021 | Prix du public | Kuessipan | Won | [28] |
Festival International du film de femmes de Salé | 2021 | Grand Prix | Kuessipan | Won | [29] |
Yarha Festival | 2021 | Prix du Meilleur scénario | Myriam Verreault, Naomi Fontaine | Won | [30] |
Common Good International Film Festival | 2021 | Prix du Meilleur film | Kuessipan | Won | [31] |
National Indigenous Screen Awards | 2020 | Prix Meilleure actrice | Sharon Fontaine Ishpatao | Won | [32] |
National Indigenous Screen Awards | 2020 | Meilleure actrice | Yamie Grégoire | Nominated | [33] |
Festival international du film d'éducation | 2020 | Prix du Meilleur long métrage de fiction | Kuessipan | Won | [34] |
Festival International du Film d'Amiens | 2020 | Grand Prix | Kuessipan | Won | [35] |
Minsk International Film Festival | 2020 | Prix du Meilleur film | Kuessipan | Won | [36] |
Festival Effervescence, Mâcon | 2020 | Prix du public | Kuessipan | Won | [37] |
Ohlalà Festival de cinema francòfon de Barcelona | 2020 | Mention spéciale du Jury des jeunes | Kuessipan | Won | [38] |
Nashville Film Festival | 2020 | Grand prix - Best narrative Feature | Kuessipan | Won | [39] |
Film by the Sea, Vlissingen | 2020 | Prix TV5 Monde - Meilleur film francophone | Kuessipan | Won | [40] |
Cinemagic Belfast | 2020 | Meilleur film de fiction | Kuessipan | Won | [41] |
Molodist Kyiv Film Festival | 2020 | Scythian Deer - Grand Prix (ex aequo) | Kuessipan | Won | [42] |
Molodist Kyiv Film Festival | 2020 | Mention spéciale du Jury œcuménique | Kuessipan | Won | [43] |
Zlin International Film Festival | 2020 | Grand Prix | Kuessipan | Won | [44] |
Festival du film canadien de Dieppe | 2020 | Prix du Public - TV5 Monde | Kuessipan | Won | [45] |
Festival du film canadien de Dieppe | 2020 | Prix Jean Malaurie | Kuessipan | Won | [46] |
Festival du film canadien de Dieppe | 2020 | Prix Révélation : Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao | Kuessipan | Won | [47] |
Festival du film canadien de Dieppe | 2020 | Prix de la Ville de Dieppe | Kuessipan | Won | [48] |
Festival du film canadien de Dieppe | 2020 | Prix du Zonta Club | Kuessipan | Won | [49] |
Festival International du Film d’Aubagne | 2020 | Prix du Meilleur Long métrage | Kuessipan | Won | [50] |
Festival International du Film d’Aubagne | 2020 | Mention spéciale à Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao | Kuessipan | Won | [51] |
Canadian Screen Awards | 2020 | Meilleur scénario | Myriam Verreault, Naomi Fontaine | Nominated | [52] |
Meilleure actrice de soutien | Yamie Grégoire | Nominated | |||
Meilleur acteur de soutien | Douglas Grégoire | Nominated | |||
Prix collégial du cinéma québécois | 2020 | Meilleur film | Kuessipan | Nominated | [53] |
Festival international du film sur les droits humains, Genève | 2020 | Mention spéciale Jury Fiction | Kuessipan | Won | [54] |
Festival international du film sur les droits humains, Genève | 2020 | Mention spéciale Jury des Jeunes | Kuessipan | Won | [55] |
Rendez-vous Québec cinéma | 2020 | Prix Gilles-Carle du meilleur 1er ou 2e long métrage de fiction | Kuessipan | Won | [56] |
Rendez-vous Québec cinéma | 2020 | Prix Jacques-Marcotte Meilleur scénario de long métrage de fiction | Myriam Verreault, Naomi Fontaine | Won | [57] |
Rendez-vous Québec cinéma | 2020 | Prix du jury en herbe Meilleur long métrage de fiction | Kuessipan | Won | [58] |
Festival International du Premier Film d'Annonay | 2020 | Prix spécial du jury | Kuessipan | Won | [59] |
Göteborg Film Festival | 2020 | Mention spéciale, Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award | Kuessipan | Won | [60] |
Cinoche - Festival de film international de Baie-Comeau | 2020 | Prix du Meilleur film canadien | Kuessipan | Won | [61] |
Festival international de cinéma francophone en Acadie, Moncton | 2019 | Prix du Meilleur film canadien | Kuessipan | Won | [62] |
Windsor International Film Festival | 2019 | Prix du Meilleur film canadien | Kuessipan | Won | [63] |
Vancouver International Film Festival | 2019 | Mention Spéciale, Best Canadian Emerging Director | Myriam Verreault | Won | [64] |
Festival international du film francophone de Namur | 2019 | Mention spéciale du jury | Kuessipan | Won | [65] |
Québec City Film Festival | 2019 | Grand Prix du Festival de cinéma de la ville de Québec | Kuessipan | Won | [66] |
Toronto International Film Festival | 2019 | Sélection officielle | Kuessipan | Nominated | [67] |
References
edit- ^ Rhiannon Johnson, "Tender coming of age story in Innu community premieres at TIFF". CBC News, September 9, 2019.
- ^ a b Peter Howell (July 31, 2019). "Indigenous films highlight Canadian slate at TIFF 2019". Toronto Star.
- ^ "Tournage du film Kuessipan : montrer la force des jeunes Innus". Ici Radio-Canada. December 9, 2017.
- ^ "Le roman Kuessipan adapté au cinéma". Le Soleil. June 18, 2017.
- ^ "TIFF interview: Kuessipan filmmakers on their Innu coming-of-age story". www.seventh-row.com. 17 September 2019.
- ^ a b c d Dunlevy, T'cha. "'Why don't we know them?' Coming-of-age tale is a window into Innu life". Montreal Gazette.
- ^ Coman, Sherry (2019). "Kuessipan". Journal of Religion and Film. 23 (2).
- ^ "Film version of Naomi Fontaine's Kuessipan debuts at TIFF".
- ^ a b McIntosh, Julie. "Myriam Verreault discusses the making of Kuessipan, an Innu coming-of-age film". www.nationnews.ca.
- ^ Rose, Alex (2019-10-04). "Kuessipan deals with the universal". Cult MTL. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- ^ a b Hua, Vee (2021-04-15). "Myriam Verrault Interview: Kuessipan Reveals Teen Life in an Innu Community". REDEFINE. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- ^ a b "Tender coming of age story in Innu community premieres at TIFF". www.CBC.com.
- ^ Marc-André Lussier [in French] (10 September 2019). "TIFF: percussive Antigone". La Presse. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
- ^ "MEET INNU ACTORS SHARON FONTAINE-ISHPATAO AND YAMI GREGOIRE STARRING IN KUESSIPAN". whatshesaidtalk.com. 21 April 2020.
- ^ "Kuessipan - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- ^ Clements, Sara (February 18, 2020). "TIFF Next Wave Review: 'Kuessipan' Is a Love Letter to Quebec's Innu". Exclaim!.
- ^ "TIFF 2019: Updated – The Globe's latest ratings and reviews of movies screening at the festival". The Globe and Mail. 2019-08-29. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- ^ Commanda, Erica (2019-09-12). "KUESSIPAN IS STUNNINGLY POETIC & STILL ROOTED IN REALISM". MUSKRAT Magazine. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- ^ "VIFF 2019 BC Spotlight Gala Award Winners" (Press release). Vancouver International Film Festival. 2019-10-05. Archived from the original on 2019-10-07. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
- ^ @CCE_editors (2 October 2020). "WINNER Best Editing in Feature Film/Meilleur montage d'un long métrage Amélie Labrèche, Myriam Verreault & Sophie Leblond for Kuessipan" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Écrans canadiens : Song of Names, The Twentieth Century et Antigone en tête des nominations". Ici Radio-Canada. February 18, 2020.
- ^ "Antigone remporte le Prix collégial du cinéma québécois". Ici Radio-Canada, April 15, 2020.
- ^ "Le film Antigone, grand gagnant du Gala Québec Cinéma avec six prix" (in French). Radio-Canada. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
- ^ "2019 Winners" (Press release). Québec City Film Festival. 2019-09-21. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
- ^ "WIFF Announces Kuessipan as the Winner of the inaugural Prize in Canadian Film". Windsor International Film Festival. 10 November 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "Yamie Grégoire primée aux Trophées francophones" (Press release).
- ^ "Special Citation in Independent Cinema 2021". San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix du public 2021". Festival de cinéma québécois de Biscarosse. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Grand Prix 2021". Festival International du film de femmes de Salé. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix du Meilleur scénario 2021". Yarha Festival. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix du Meilleur film 2021". Common Good International Film Festival. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix Meilleure actrice 2020". National Indigenous Screen Awards. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Meilleure actrice 2020". National Indigenous Screen Awards. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix du Meilleur long métrage de fiction 2020". Festival international du film d'éducation. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Grand Prix 2020". Festival International du Film d'Amiens. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix du Meilleur film 2020". Minsk International Film Festival. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix du public 2020". Festival Effervescence, Mâcon. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Mention spéciale du Jury des jeunes 2020". Ohlalà Festival de cinema francòfon de Barcelona. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Grand prix - Best narrative Feature 2020". Nashville Film Festival. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix TV5 Monde - Meilleur film francophone 2020". Film by the Sea, Vlissingen. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Meilleur film de fiction 2020". Cinemagic Belfast. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Scythian Deer - Grand Prix (ex aequo) 2020". Molodist Kyiv Film Festival. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Mention spéciale du Jury œcuménique 2020". Molodist Kyiv Film Festival. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Grand Prix 2020". Zlin International Film Festival. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix du Public - TV5 Monde 2020". Festival du film canadien de Dieppe. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix Jean Malaurie 2020". Festival du film canadien de Dieppe. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix Révélation : Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao 2020". Festival du film canadien de Dieppe. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix de la Ville de Dieppe 2020". Festival du film canadien de Dieppe. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix du Zonta Club 2020". Festival du film canadien de Dieppe. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix du Meilleur Long métrage 2020". Festival International du Film d’Aubagne. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Mention spéciale à Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao 2020". Festival International du Film d’Aubagne. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Écrans canadiens : Song of Names, The Twentieth Century et Antigone en tête des nominations". Ici Radio-Canada. February 18, 2020.
- ^ "Antigone remporte le Prix collégial du cinéma québécois". Ici Radio-Canada. April 15, 2020.
- ^ "Mention spéciale Jury Fiction 2020". Festival international du film sur les droits humains, Genève. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Mention spéciale Jury des Jeunes 2020". Festival international du film sur les droits humains, Genève. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix Gilles-Carle du meilleur 1er ou 2e long métrage de fiction 2020". Rendez-vous Québec cinéma. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix Jacques-Marcotte Meilleur scénario de long métrage de fiction 2020". Rendez-vous Québec cinéma. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix du jury en herbe Meilleur long métrage de fiction 2020". Rendez-vous Québec cinéma. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix spécial du jury 2020". Festival International du Premier Film d'Annonay. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Mention spéciale, Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award 2020". Göteborg Film Festival. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix du Meilleur film canadien 2020". Cinoche - Festival de film international de Baie-Comeau. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix du Meilleur film canadien 2019". Festival international de cinéma francophone en Acadie, Moncton. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "Prix du Meilleur film canadien 2019". Windsor International Film Festival. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "VIFF 2019 BC Spotlight Gala Award Winners" (Press release). Vancouver International Film Festival. 2019-10-05. Archived from the original on 2019-10-07. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
- ^ "Mention spéciale du jury 2019". Festival international du film francophone de Namur. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ "2019 Winners" (Press release). Québec City Film Festival. 2019-09-21. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
- ^ "Sélection officielle 2019". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved 2021-12-31.