James Bay 1975: The Shock of Two Nations
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.
Official Selection, CINEMANIA 2025
James Bay 1975 brings us to the origin of two significant revolutions: the rapid expansion of Hydro-Québec through the construction of the La Grande complex and the awakening of the Indigenous nations of Northern Quebec. A clash of civilizations where two worldviews collide. Quebec dreams of taking control of its destiny by becoming an energy giant on the continent. While in the North, a new generation of young Cree and Inuit are standing up to protect what is most precious to them: their land and their culture. Leaders and witnesses tell their stories in this political thriller, which culminates in the signing of the James Bay Agreement in 1975.
Mélanie Lameboy
Mélanie Lameboy is an Eeyou filmmaker and screenwriter from the Cree Nation of Chisasibi. She directed three films with Wapikoni Mobile: Every Dog Has a Story, Northern Comfort: A Drive Around Town and Closure: One Last Look at St-Joseph's. Her short films have been shown at festivals around the world. Passionate about documentary filmmaking, she raises awareness about issues that need to be highlighted and that are close to her heart. Among other projects, she collaborated with Rezolution Pictures as an additional director for Red Fever and Spirit of Birth, and with Andicha Media as a screenwriter for Chuck and the First People's Kitchen.
Mathieu Fournier
Mathieu Fournier has worked in the media industry for twenty years, in both radio and television. He has collaborated on the creation of several documentary series and films. As a screenwriter and director, he is fascinated by lesser-known stories that have been disrupted by major historical events. His feature film Star Wars Kid: The Rise of the Digital Shadows gives a voice to the world's first victim of cyberbullying. The film has been screened at numerous festivals around the world.
Photo: Félix Poncelet-Marsan
Myriam Berthelet
Myriam Berthelet is a documentary filmmaker and screenwriter. She directed De garde 24/7, an observational documentary series about hospital doctors. She has just completed the documentary IA : l’angle mort, which explores sexist biases in artificial intelligence. He other works include Tenir salon, which explores the immigration journeys of hairdressers, The Life-Sized City, which gives a voice to citizens around the world, and the Projet Polytechnique podcast, in collaboration with Porte Parole. She is fascinated by people and loves to tell their stories with sensitivity and humanity.
Photo: Guillaume Boucher
