Newsletter No. 2 January – April 2010

sur le Studio Acadie Z O O M

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I- Our team II- Our colleagues at NFB Montreal III- Productions IV- Les Rendez-vous de l’ONF en Acadie V- Festivals and screenings VI- Partnerships VII- Other activities VIII- Comments

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Welcome to the second issue of

Zoom, the newsletter that updates you on activities at the NFB’s Studio Acadie. Zoom is published three times a year and distributed by email, placed on the NFB’s intranet, and posted on the Studio’s webpage <onf-nfb.gc.ca/fra/studios/?id=2>.

On behalf of our entire team, I hope you enjoy this issue. Murielle Rioux-Poirier Producer

I – OUR TEAM

Jacques Turgeon, Executive Producer Murielle Rioux-Poirier, Producer Geneviève Duguay, Administrator Colette Allain, Regional Production and Communication Assistant -------------------------------------------------- Address: Studio Acadie Heritage Court 95 Foundry Street, Suite 100 Moncton, NB E1C 5H7 Phone: 506-851-6104 Fax: 506-851-2246 Toll-free: 1-866-663-8331 Email: studioacadie@onf.ca

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II – OUR COLLEAGUES AT NFB MONTREAL …………………………… Among the many people who assist us in our work, we want to spotlight two colleagues we

collaborate with closely.

Jean-François Laprise Technical Coordinator

Jean-François lends a hand at all production and post-production stages of our films. Among his many tasks, he sets schedules for each production, draws up technical notes for each shoot, and reserves screening and editing rooms. He also handles deliverables, cassette and disc storage, and DVD conversion if necessary.

Julie Arseneault Marketing Officer

Julie looks after marketing strategies for each of our productions. Together with her colleagues and external partners (festivals, co-producers), she oversees a film’s run from its launch to its release on DVD. She also writes promotional copy, prepares marketing tools (posters, one-sheets, press kits, advertisements) and ensures that our films appear online and in social networks. She’s assisted by Karine Sévigny.

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III – PRODUCTIONS ……………………………

Picture editing for the production took place from January to March in the Studio’s AVID editing room. Louiselle was in good hands with the superb editor Marie Hamelin. The work was painstaking, but the results are fantastic. Luc Mandeville is now doing the sound editing, and Claude Fournier (Les Productions Belibis Inc.) is in charge of the music. The film will debut at FICFA 2010.

Marie Hamelin (seated) and Louiselle Noël in the editing room in Moncton.

De gauche à droite : Marie Hamelin, monteuse et Louiselle Noël

ÇÇAA TTOOUURRNNEE DDAANNSS MMAA TTÊÊTTEE A film by Louiselle Noël

Summary

The filmmaker takes an intimate look at children suffering from depression and

mental disorders. Her aim is to educate audiences and demystify mental illness.

The documentary doesn’t endorse or condemn different approaches taken by mental health specialists and caregivers. Instead, it seeks to break taboos. The

message is that we need to assess troubled children, take immediate action and,

especially, recognize the real problems confronting these kids.

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The shoot should wrap up in September. Alain Dupras is behind the camera, and Georges Hannan is doing the sound. Experienced director Serge Giguère is mentoring Daniel.

Les inséparables: Jean-Paul Basque and Anne Robichaud.

Also featured in the film: Jean-Paul’s parents Damien Dawson

LLEESS IINNSSÉÉPPAARRAABBLLEESS A film by Daniel Léger

Summary Shot over a one year period, this film recounts the love story of Jean-Paul and Anne. They are inseparable – two people in love who have special needs and mental disabilities. Their handicaps don’t bother them and certainly don’t prevent them from enjoying life and being happy. With the help of Anne, Jean-Paul looks after his parents and his autistic neighbour, ten-year-old Damien, and is the only person who can control him in extreme situations. An inspiring and touching film.

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The shoot will take place over a year or more. An initial emergency shoot was done in December 2008 in Lebanon with a local team. A few subsequent shoots were completed in Montreal and Toronto.

Jennifer, one of the protagonists in the film.

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ÀÀ LLAA RREECCHHEERRCCHHEE DD’’UUNN AASSIILLEE UUnn ffiillmm ddee PPaauull ÉÉmmiillee dd’’EEnnttrreemmoonntt Summary

Repressive homophobia is rampant around the world. Canada, however, is one of the few countries that accept political refugees on the grounds of sexual orientation. This documentary looks at people who have been persecuted in their homeland and have begun an often long and painful journey to find a safe haven to live. What challenges await these refugee claimants? In 2008, only 48 per cent of requests were accepted. For those who might face persecution, imprisonment and torture if their request is denied, the process can seem like a game of Russian roulette.

Shooting in Montreal (left to right): Paul Émile, Olivier Léger (sound engineer), Jean-Pierre Saint-Louis (director of photography) and Carlos Atuesta (participant).

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The shoot will take place in May. The team will include director of photography François Vincelette and sound engineer Georges Hannan. Christine Aubé will serve as production manager. This co-production is made possible thanks to considerable support from the SRC and Film Nouveau-Brunswick.

Sister Odette Léger figures pro- minently in the film.

Photo from the papal visit to Moncton in 1984.

Summary

This documentary sheds light on the Sisters of Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur, a congregation that has existed in southeastern New Brunswick since 1924. The sisters have played a crucial role in the survival of the French language and culture in the province. These pioneers have fervently defended the francophone cause in Acadie and provided a higher education in French to hundreds of young Acadian women including Antonine Maillet, Viola Léger, Édith Butler and Claudette Bradshaw.

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Picture editing was done at Studio Acadie with Marie Hamelin. Amélie then travelled to Montreal to continue the post-production. She’s pictured below in the online editing suite alongside editor Yannick Carrier and NFB technical coordinator Jean-François Laprise.

Marie-Thérèse worked with picture editor Patricia Tassinari.

TTRREEMMPPLLIINN IINNFFUUSSIIOONN VVOOLLEEUUSSEE DDEE PPOOUUSSSSIIÈÈRREE

A film by Amélie Gosselin A film by Marie-Thérèse François

Summary

This film takes a playful look at tea in Acadie. An original perspective on a phenomenon that has long been linked to culture and a way of life.

Summary

As old homes are torn down in her neighbourhood, she must come to terms with the death of her father from cancer. The two events become intertwined in her mind. Like life, this film is a poem to be deciphered and a story to be reconstructed in bits and pieces.

CONCOURS TREMPLIN

These two debut films are by the two winners of Concours Tremplin 2009. This competition enables emerging filmmakers to make a film under professional conditions. Amélie and Marie-Thérèse found the experience highly rewarding.

Concours Tremplin 2010 launches this September.

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IV – LES RENDEZ-VOUS DE L’ONF EN ACADIE ……………………………

As old homes are torn down in her

The 2010 winter program, which included Sylvie Van Brabant’s Earth Keepers and Germán Gutiérrez and Carmen Garcia’s The Coca-Cola Case, attracted 1,178 people to screenings in five locations from January to April.

In Moncton, many people turned up for the screening of the film despite a snowstorm raging outside. Cinéveil, a festival of socially engaged films held at the Université de Moncton the same week, also included the film in its program and helped promote it.

This film sparked considerable interest from moviegoers at Les Rendez-vous de l’ONF en Acadie. The director was on hand for the screenings in Caraquet and Moncton. Sylvie also gave several interviews to the media. The photo below shows the theatre in Caraquet. Our partner Robert Landry encouraged the 50 people attending the screening to ask any questions they might have.

Comments from moviegoers:

Caraquet: Very interesting film and very charming director.

Kedgwick: There’s still a chance to save Earth despite all its problems.

Edmundston: An interesting and

thought-provoking film.

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Comments from moviegoers

Caraquet: Good discussion with Ms. Garcia. Edmundston: Interesting talk after the film. Kedgwick: People left the theatre saying they’d never drink Coca-Cola beverages again.

Special screenings On March 2 and 3, Robert Landry, a partner with Les Rendez-vous de l’ONF en Acadie for the Caraquet region, organized four special screenings during the school break. Over 60 children and their parents showed up for the events. Among the films presented were: ● Films from the AnimAcadie series ● Isabelle au bois dormant ● Le chat colla ● Oncle Bob à l'hôpital ● Cot Cot ● Le nœud cravate ● Le paysagiste

On April 20, our Kedgwick partner, Louise Lang-Lévesque, also organized a special screening of animated films for 32 students in Grade 7. The youngsters really enjoyed their outing.

THE COCA-COLA CASE

Produced by Johanne Bergeron, Yves Bisaillon (NFB), Carmen Garcia (Argus Film Inc.). Photo from the production.

2009 Argus Films and the National Film Board of Canada. All rights reserved.

Carmen Garcia was on hand in Caraquet and Moncton with some 60 people attending at each location. Great discussions occurred with the co-director after the screenings. Carmen gave several interviews to the media.

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V – FESTIVALS AND SCREENINGS ……………………………

LA TRAPPE Director: Lina Verchery

A SUNDAY AT 105 Director: Daniel Léger

TREMPLIN 2008

INHABITING DANCE THEY HAD THIRTEEN CHILDREN Director: Julien Cadieux Director: Anika Lirette

The two films were presented in the 28th edition of Les Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois (RVCQ) in Montreal in February. Anika and Julien were on hand to present their films.

La trappe, which was part of Concours Tremplin 2007, was selected for a screening in La Nuit du Cinéma in Percé on Saturday, March 27.

This film was shown in a special program at Regard sur le court métrage in the Saguenay on March 10. Daniel Léger won an honourable mention from the professional jury when his film was presented at this festival in 2007. The film can be seen at <nfb.ca> and has been watched online by over 274,000 people so far.

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CELEBRATING CHIAC, PART II Director: Marie Cadieux

A co-production of Bellefeuille Productions

The film was presented in the 2010 Winnipeg Freeze Frame International Children’s Film Festival in March. It was also part of Les Rendez-vous de la francophonie tour in March. The film was presented in eight provinces and three territories across Canada.

HOMMES À LOUER Director: Rodrigue Jean

A co-production of InformAction

► February 18: presented at Les Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois (RVCQ).

► March 12: presented at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival in Athens, Greece.

► March 27: aired on RDI. ► March 28: nominated for best documentary at the Jutra Awards.

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Alissa Arseneault-Baccarat, daughter of our marketing officer Julie Arseneault, awaits the answer to her question.

ANTONINE MAILLET THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS

Director: Ginette Pellerin A co-production of Améri Ka Productions

The film had its world premiere in Moncton last November to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Antonine Maillet’s Prix Goncourt for her novel Pélagie-la-Charrette. The Quebec premiere was held on March 19 at FIFA (International Festival of Films on Art). The author and the director attended this full-house screening and took questions from the audience.

[PLEASE ADD MISSING PHOTOS.]

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VI – PARTNERSHIPS …………………………… Société culturelle de la Vallée de Memramcook

Following a project submitted to Studio Acadie by the cultural development officer Octave LeBlanc, a screening took place in March in the auditorium of the École Abbey-Landry in Saint-Joseph. This partnership aims to strengthen ties with cultural and arts organizations in the region. The films shown were Celebrating Chiac and Celebrating Chiac – Part II (at Les Rendez-vous de la francophonie) as well as Les aboiteaux and A Sunday at 105. The audience, which consisted of about 50 people, thoroughly enjoyed the screenings. Octave expressed an interest in repeating the event in the fall. Studio Acadie and Diane Hétu from NFB Montreal were responsible for follow-up.

Fédération des jeunes francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick

This two-year training project was launched in October 2009. The FJFNB, together with the Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick (AAAPNB) and Studio Acadie, gives workshops in video making to young francophones from 14 high schools in the province. The aim of this project is to train a new generation of filmmakers. Studio Acadie provided the filming equipment and other services. CapAcadie.com Since February, Capacadie.com, the leading francophone portal in the Atlantic region, has offered users access to a selection of films from Studio Acadie. This new partnership represents yet another showcase for the Studio’s films and its filmmakers. Radio-Canada Acadie

A committed partner of Studio Acadie from day one, Radio-Canada Acadie continues to support the Studio’s productions. By airing films by emerging filmmakers, Radio-Canada nurtures their development by acquainting a larger audience with their work. Again this year, the two new films from the Concours Tremplin will be broadcast on Radio-Canada.

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VII – OTHER ACTIVITIES

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Consultations with the industry ► Producers and other NFB representatives attended a meeting in January with the

Fédération culturelle canadienne-française (FCCF), the Front des réalisateurs indépendants du Canada (FRIC) and the Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada (APFC). This was a bilateral meeting with signatories of the multiparty agreement. Discussions centred on the FCCF’s development plan for the arts and culture sector for 2009-2010 (TONAC) and on projects underway and opportunities to collaborate in the future.

► On February 11 and 12, the executive producer took part in workshops in Saint-Basile,

New Brunswick, on regional cultural planning to support integrated and sustainable cultural development. The Conseil provincial des sociétés culturelles du Nouveau-Brunswick organized the workshops.

► The producer mentored Stéphanie Bélanger, a student from the Université de Moncton,

as part of Repères, the university’s career mentorship program. The program helps students make career choices by introducing them to a professional working in their area of interest. Students meet with their mentor to explore a career or confirm a career choice.

Mental Health Commission

Three screenings were held from January to April in Studio Acadie’s Léonard Forest screening room. This activity was organized as part of French language training for Mental Health Commission employees from Western Canada who were visiting our region. Pictured are the students along with producer Murielle Rioux-Poirier.

Other federal government agencies

Three other screenings took place during the same period in the Léonard Forest screening room as part of French language training.

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VIII – COMMENTS ……………………………

We hope that you enjoyed this second issue of Zoom.

You can submit comments

or sign up for Zoom at studioacadie@onf.ca.

Our next issue is out in September.

About the NFB Canada’s public film producer and distributor, the National Film Board of Canada creates social-issue documentaries, auteur animation, alternative drama and digital content that provide the world with a unique Canadian perspective. The NFB is expanding the vocabulary of 21st-century cinema and breaking new ground in form and content through community filmmaking projects, cross-platform media, programs for emerging filmmakers, stereoscopic animation – and more. It works in collaboration with creative filmmakers, digital media creators and co-producers in every region of Canada, with Aboriginal and culturally diverse communities, as well as partners around the world. Since the NFB’s founding in 1939, it has created over 13,000 productions and won over 5,000 awards, including 12 Oscars and more than 90 Genies. The NFB’s new website features over 1,600 productions online, and its iPhone app has become one of the most popular and talked about downloads. Visit <NFB.ca> today and start watching.