The descendants of the inhabitants of Bonaventure Island, brutally expropriated in 1971, set on a quest to explore their origins.
Research, direction and editing: Alexandra GUITÉ Cinematography: Joffrey MONNIER and Gino PATRIGANI Sound: Charles-Olivier BLEAU and Rémy HUBERDEAU Original Score: Steve BOULAY Sound Editing: François LAFRENIÈRE
Production: Rafaël Martin / L’INIS and le Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles – August 2009
Scripted, researched, directed and edited by Alexandra Guité during a three week stay on the sailboat SEDNA IV for the project L’INIS in Gaspé.
A 52 mins documentary, 2012 Directed by Alexandra Guité
Behind a picturesque village whose natural beauty is displayed on countless postcards, there lies another village, one that grates and grinds, for the inhabitants of Percé, on the rugged Gaspé coast, face a harsh reality. Isolated and caught between a hardscrabble land and often stormy sea, they have fashioned a strong, fiercely independent identity. Perceived at times as builders and at other times as artists, tourist trap operators or even reactionaries (chasing off members of the FLQ in 1969 with fire hoses), the people of Percé have left their mark on the collective imagination. They have been seen as insubordinate rebels since the days of the French regime, and indeed the reputation of Percé as a place of questionable customs has deep roots.
The documentary Headstrong captures this independent spirit in a sensitive portrayal of the daily lives of four personalities who best embody this proud and fiery character. The spectator is invited to experience the rhythms of Percé through all four seasons. An ambitious parish priest, a nature-loving sculptor, a hard-working politician, also deep sea diver and part-time barman and a bohemian hotel owner guide the viewer through a unique human journey at the heart of a remarkable place that lies at the outermost bounds of Quebec. In a narrative interspersed with animated illustrations and dreamlike asides, the film explores issues of identity and economic and cultural survival in a region hit hard by exploitation of its natural resources, which has led to the disappearance of the cod fishery, a dying forestry industry and abandoned mines. The film is an original, intimate incursion into both the lives of five strong personalities and a unique village that is a popular tourist site in the summer, but a veritable ghost town in the winter. Not only splendid, Percé is also austere and highly competitive, a place where mythic legends abound, not to mention rumour, envy and jealousy in a village where everyone knows everyone else. The film is an invitation to discover the many facets of this physical and allegorical site, a place that haunts those who linger there for more than a few hours. Take the plunge.
Partner
Portraits of Carmen Garcia and German Gutierrez (NFB)
Carmen Garcia and German Gutierrez are a passionnate team of filmmakers. He directs, she produces intense and vibrant films focussing mostly on social issues. Alexandra Guité directed 11 short films about them. We dive into their creative collaboration and hear their advice to young filmmakers.
A Film by Alexandra Guité and Géraldine Charbonneau
Fall morning. Julie sleeps quietly. The doorbell rings. Bad news are announced. As Julie takes a walk with her father, she will find out that her life has changed.
A Documentary by Alexandra Guité Direction, research and production: Alexandra Guité Editing : Christopher Hills-Wright. 61 Minutes
Argentina’s troubled history, culminating in the major crisis of 2001, has seen the rise of a wave of original artistic and cultural expression. The documentary The Art of Resistance introduces us to several creators and artist collectives who use artistic expression as a means to deliver powerful social statements, explore unbridled creativity, and participate actively in constructing a new reality.
The Art of Resistance is an inventive treatment of these artists’ responses to the critical situations they are living. Born in a climate of urgency, their creativity is without boundaries, their strategies constantly renewed. The 85-year-old visual artist León Ferrari launches a vigorous national debate by denouncing the Catholic Church’s dark underside, factories open their doors to artists who conceive performances among the workers, patients at a psychiatric asylum join together to form an artistic front and charismatic actor Julio Arrieta makes a movie about the extraterrestrial invasion of his shantytown.
The Art of Resistance is a penetrating portrait of the artistic and political methods of cultural resistance in Argentina. The film follows these inspiring and revolutionary characters as they struggle to meet the challenges of economic and cultural disintegration and critically examine proposed solutions to the problems of the day. It illustrates humanity’s profound capacity for creativity and resilience in the face of adversity. The spectator is invited to witness inspiring examples of this potential as they unfurl against the backdrop of Argentina’s ongoing crisis.
Pre-selected at Cannes’ Semaine de la critique 2006.
Opening film at The Guelph International Film Festival 2006. Presented at FIPATEL 2007, Biarritz; 3 Americas Film Festival 2007, Québec; Flying Broom International Women’s Film Festival 2007, Turkey; Human Right International Film Festival 2007, Buenos Aires; Festival des Libertés 2007, Bruxelles, National Film Board of Canada Cinéma 2008; Working Class Film Festival 2008, Turkey; Documenta Film Festival, Ecuador.
Distribution :
Vidéographe Distribution 6560, avenue de l’Esplanade Montréal (Québec) H2V 4L5 Canada T +1 (514) 866-4720 F +1 (514) 866-4725
A Film by Alexandra Guité
The Trap
Headstrong 
Elfland
