Synopsis
In 1952, an Inuit hunter named Tivii with tuberculosis leaves his northern home and family to go recuperate at a sanatorium in Quebec City. Uprooted, far from his loved ones, unable to speak French and faced with a completely alien world, he becomes despondent. When he refuses to eat and expresses a wish to die, his nurse, Carole, comes to the realization that Tivii's illness is not the most serious threat to his well-being. She arranges to have a young orphan, Kaki, transferred to the institution. The boy is also sick, but has experience with both worlds and speaks both languages. By sharing his culture with Kaki and opening it up to others, Tivii rediscovers his pride and energy. Ultimately he also rediscovers hope through a plan to adopt Kaki, bring him home and make him part of his family
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Festival History
- Toronto Film Critics Association Awards 2010 generic
- Palm Springs International Film Festival 2009 generic
- Seattle International Film Festival 2009 generic
- Vancouver Film Critics Circle 2009 generic
- Genie Awards 2008 generic - Motion Picture; Direction; Actor in a Leading Role; Actress in a Supporting Role; Original Screenplay; Costume Design; Editing; Original Score ★ Direction; Actor in a Leading Role; Original Screenplay; Costume Design
- Montreal World Film Festival 2008 generic - Best Canadian Film ★ Best Canadian Film
Titles
| Original title | Ce qu'il faut pour vivre | |
| Alternate title | Inuujjutiksaq | |
| Alternate title | The Necessities of Life |
Releases & classifications
| Theatrical | Canada | August 25, 2008 |
Full credits
| Director | Benoît Pilon |
| Cast | Denis Bernard, Natar Ungalaaq (Tiivii), Antoine Bertrand, Paul André Brasseur, Miali Buscemi, Eveline Gélinas, Louise Marleau, Vincent Guillaume Otis, Luc Proulx, Guy Thauvette, Natar Ungalaq, Ann-Sophie Archer (Infirmière de jour), Alexandre Thériault (Patient jaloux), Frédérick Bouffard (Patient agonisant), Caroline Tanguay (Infirmière de nuit), Jacques-Henri Gagnon (L'archevêque), Serge Bonin (L'aumônier), Guillaume Saladin (Interprète blanc), Pierre-Antoine Simard-Lafond (Aide-infirmier), Stéphane-Antoine Comtois (Membre d'équipage), Élisapie (Mère inuk malade), Sylvain Brosseau (Infirmier-chauffeur), Annie Neevee Pitsiulak (Fille de Tiivii (9 ans)), Annie S. Kootoo (Fille de Tiivii (5 ans)), Patrick Brown (Patient mourant), Jocelyn Pelletier (Patient salle commune), Nicola-Frank Vachon (Patient salle commune), Jean-Claude Godbout (Patient salle commune), Jean-Alexandre Létourneau (Patient salle commune), André Duval (Barbier), Christian Morin (Préposé), Corinne Germain (Religieuse au chevet), Jean-René Moisan (Stagiaire), Martin Perreault (Stagiaire), Josée-Gabrielle Labar (Bénévole), Aline Bouchard (Bénévole), Michael Buscemi (Bébé inuk), Karina Luzia Desmarais (Infirmière), Amira Cheriet (Infirmière), Suzann Méthot (Infirmière), Jod Léveillé-Bernard (Patient voisin), Steeve Gagné (Infirmier costaud), Maxime Allen (Jeune prêtre), Serge Thibodeau (Fermier), Gilbert Fontaine (Technicien radiologiste), Gilbert Marcoux (Brancardier), Danielle Martel (Soeur), Pascale Lauzière (Soeur), Jeannie Kownirk (Mère) |
| Screenplay | Bernard Émond, Benoit Pilon |
| Producer | René Chénier, Marc Daigle, Bernadette Payeur |
| Cinematography | Michel La Veaux |
| Editing | Richard Comeau |
| Music | Robert Marcel Lepage |
| Production design | Monique Dion, Normand Sarrazin |
| Sound | Luc Boudrias, Martin Allard, Hugo Brochu, Dominique Chartrand, Gilles Corbeil |
| Costumes | Francesca Chamberland |
Additional data: TMDB.
Source: Cinémathèque québécoise, linked catalogue data (CC BY 4.0)
