Human Interest Docs (CBC)
Michael Gabriel Rosen adores salsa. he also thrives on teaching the cuban art form. But his ambitions are much greater: contributing to social change through the power of dance.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. May 2012. 3mins04
Yvon Doglo, aka Crazy Smooth, was hooked on dancing from his earliest age. But he could never have imagined how far he would go with Hip Hop. Creating his own dance company Bboyizm and bringing street dance to the highest spheres, whithout ever forgeting its social vocation. His first Canadian tour brings him to British Columbia. Alexandra Guité met this ambitious artist and entrepreneur.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. May 2012. 3mins14
In 1967, when young Chilean students started playing the guitar, they never would have imagined the future that awaited them. A destiny of musical passion, politics and a 15 year exile under the ruthless Pinochet dictatorship. But nothing stopped them and they recently celebrated their 45th anniversary. Alexandra Guité meet up with them in Vancouver.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. May 2012. 3mins10
Stylist Myriam Laroche has always adored expensive high fashion. That is until she discovered the environmental disasters caused by the fashion industry. Thus began her transformation into a green fashionisa which lead her to create Vancouver’s Eco Fashion Week. I followed her as she styled a fashion show which treasures found at Value Village.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. May 2012. 3mins10
Becoming an actress is quite the challenge. Especially to get good roles as a black woman. So instead of waiting around for offers, Marsha Regis chose to create her own theatre compagny dedicated to promoting black culture.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. April 2012. 3mins11.
From marvel to action: environmental activist Linda Desormeaux’s tale
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Linda Desormeaux was blown away by the natural beauty of British Colombia when she first moved here from Québec. And it is what made her become both an activist and more recently a filmmaker. A portrait of a real green missionary.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. April 2012. 3mins50.
«Documentary filmmaking is listening to others »
A short film by Alexandra Guité
For 45 years, filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin has created films that show First Nations’ realities and the injustices they have lived. The filmmaker who continues to produce films for the NFB to this day has become famous for her documentary on the 1990 Oka crisis. Alexandra Guité met this courageous artist also winner of the Governor General’s Award.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. April 2012. 4mins.
Sonic Voyage in a countainer
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Taking travelers unto a voyage on the ocean is quite an artistic challenge. Especially when the experience is purely auditory. And that is what Boca Del Lupo’s performance The Voyage offers in Vancouver. Jean Routhier created the soundscape of this original odyssey. Alexandra Guité met up with him and his accomplice Carey Dodge.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. March 2012. 3mins25.
Star seeker
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Ever since he can remember, stary nights and the cosmos have always thrilled Pierre Léna. And that’s what lead him to become one of France’s top astrophysician. And now instead of retiring, he pursues his dream of creating the most creative conditions to teach sciences to young kids. Alexandra Guité met this extremely passionate scientist.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. March 2012. 3mins35.
Latino-gaspesian music now has an inventor and it is musician Juan Sebastian Larobina who not only creates warm and atmospherical music but also takes his audiences on a musical trip of the Americas. Here is the portrait of a musician who has tarnsformed culture choc into art.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. March 2012.
3mins25.
Wanting to be a beautiful woman is already complicated but even more of a challenge if one was born in the bidy of a man. Yet the obstacles have not stoped transsexual artist Nina Arsenault, from accomplishing her dreams of achieving a goddess like beauty. After spending more than 200 000$ in about 60 chirurgical interventions, she now reveals her secrets in her work The Silicone Diaries.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. February 2012. 3mins04.
keeping balance is not always easy but it’s even more challenging when it’s on a tight rope…supended in the air…. But that has not stopped a young entrepreneur from Vancouver, Luke Ebner from working non stop to make this new sports trend of slacklining known.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. February 2012. 3mins10.
Katimavik
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Getting young people to discover their vocation is already an enormous task but when it’s combined with volunteering and living away from home, it’s a total challenge. And that’s exactly what 12 youths from all over Canada have come to experience in Vancouver with Katimavik
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. February 2012. 3mins10.
Bagpipe Fanatic
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Focusing your entire life on music demands total dedication. But playing music was not enough for teacher and musician Boris Favre. He decided to go one step ahead and create musical instruments. But not any kind. He created from scratch the very first Canadian bagpipe.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. December 2011. 3mins03.
Destination : Poverty
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Losing one’s job and being hungry is a though reality that touches many Canadians, even some who never would conceive of losing it all. André, a chef, knows something about it. He never could have imagined one day needing to rely on food banks to survive. But recently he had to swallow his pride.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. December 2011. 4mins09.
When teaching is not enough
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Getting students to surpass themselves is a lot of work but for arts teacher Josée Hémond, it is a total passion that does not stop at the classroom doors. So she chose to write a book about her best teaching tricks.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. December 2011. 3mins08.
Western Canadian Music Awards
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Whitehorse hosts Break Out West Festival and the Western Canadian Awards. Portrait of the activities.
Haida Gwaii’s adventurer
A short film by Alexandra Guité
S’isoler du monde dans des coins reculés pour y vivre en autarcie, c’est un défi énorme mais une aventure qui n’a pas fait froid aux yeux à l’intrépide Patrick Lemaire qui a choisi de créer son coin de paradis en pleine contrée sauvage des îles de Haida Gwaii.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. August 2011. 4mins45.
A modern day Robinson
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Le beauceron Jacques Morin est d’abord venu planter des arbres dans les îles isolées de Haida Gwaii. Tombé amoureux de de cette région biologiquement unique, il a choisi de s’y installer afin de se consacrer à l’observation des animaux rares.Il vient de construire la maison de ses rêves, une maison écolo. Rencontre avec un Robinson des temps modernes.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. August 2011. 4mins15.
Art Wheelers
A short film by Alexandra Guité
S’arrêter et admirer les œuvres d’art extérieurs d’une grande ville peut paraître spécial, mais lorsque cette expérience est jumelée avec une excursion à vélo à travers Vancouver, c’est tout à fait original ! C’est ce que proposent les visites guidées ArtWheelers, les seules excursions artistiques du genre au Canada.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. August 2011. .2mins31.
Empowerment Biking
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Repairing a flat tire should be pretty simple… But if you go to Vancouver’s OUR COMMUNITY BIKES for your next checkup, don’t be surprised if you learn a life lesson as well.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. June 2011. 3mins04.
Healing Soccer
A short film by Alexandra Guité
They don’t have a home, they are struggling with addictions or have lived through the hell of prostitution … But when they put on their shoes and soccer t.-shirts… They are transformed. Enough to be heading shortly to compete in the World’s Homeless Cup in Paris.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. June 2011. 3mins.
Creating an Arabic Newspaper
A news report by Alexandra Guité
As the Arab world rebels, two Vancouver entrepreneurs are creating their own revolution: the Arabic newspaper Al-Qâlam. They eagerly hope it will reach the city’s 26 000 people of Arabic origins. Creating a space of community in the midst of the not always easy process of immigration.
Researched, written and directed by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. May 2011. 2mins02.
Bouffon Revolution
A short film by Alexandra Guité
They make us laugh or sometimes think. In any case, they make us react.
And that is the goal. According to Trilby Jeeves, creator Buffoonery workshops in Vancouver, we all possess an inner buffoon. And how free we can feel, once we find it.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. May 2011. 3mins04.
Social Dentist
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Operating a dental clinic is intense work but when it’s a volunteer clinic in the heart of the Downtown East Side, it’s also social work. For dentist Bruce Ward, president of British Columbia’s dentists association, it’s a way to give back and ease the pains of those who can’t afford dental care.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. May 2011. 3mins08.
Dancing to the brink
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Losing one’s mind… it could happen to anyone. That is the conviction that inspired iconic choreographer Ginette Laurin in creating her celebrated dance piece La Chambre Blanche. In a décor half way between a mental health institution and a Turkish bath, the company O Vertigo plunges us into what it means to lose control mentally and physically within a cramped space. Emerges a poetic exploration of human vulnerability through dance.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. May 2011. 3mins07.
Climbing to the top of the world
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Climbing to the summits of the Himalayas is a huge and daring enterprise. Especially when it is to raise funds to help build schools and hostels for young girls who dream of pursuing their education. That’s the challenge Vancouver based social movement Kina.ca has crafted, bringing some 20 Canadians on a life changing trek to Nepal. Some days before embarking on the 20 day trek near Everest’s base camp, Ellen Vaillancourt is racing around the clock to be ready for this great social expedition.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. April 2011. 3mins15.
A Clown’s life
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Roaming the world amusing publics as a clown is a vocation that demands a lot of passion. A passion that has taken Benoit Ranger throughout 40 countries, stints with the Cirque du Soleil and the recent creation of a circus program in Vancouver’s schools. He remembers with some nostalgia his career that reaches back 35 years.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. April 2011. 2mins48..
Move Over!
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Moving, dancing, crawling… kids do it all the time without thinking twice about it… But the chances of dancing together as a family are pretty rare. To move things around, Québec dance troup Bouge de là has created movement workshops that bring adults and kids together on the dance floor. Because for Bouge de là, dance is more than an artistic vocation, it’s also a pedagocical mission.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : Radio-Canada. April 2011. 3mins08.
Thinking outside the box : Reinventing Eco-Fashion
A short film by Alexandra Guité
For designer Katherine Soucie, fashion is a lot more than fabric. It’s actually a social and ecological mission. And with her new label Zerolab, she strives to share her original recycling techniques to create a more responsable fashion world.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. March 2011. 2mins36.
Lady Gaga’s artistic catwalk
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Creating an art show is a lot of work. But if you also have to invent and present a new artistic movement, it can get intense. The students of Vancouver’s Jules-Verne school where asked to do just. Their assignment: to create radical, Lady Gaga inspired artwork. To heighten the challenge, they also had to strut themselves their pieces unto a catwalk under the gaze of 300 people. A unique artistic experience that would not have been possible if it where not for their passionate art teacher, the kind of teacher we would all have loved to have in high school.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. March 2011. 2mins51.
Native Wapikoni filmmaking
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Not everyone can become a filmmaker… That’s what a lot of First Nations youths thought when the Wapikoni Mobile Car pulled into their remote hometowns. A mobile training and creation centre for Native youth, Wapikoni Mobile has helped produced more than 350 films in tiny and remote communities. Both Catherine Boivin and Dave “Madjick” Baudin are now roaming the country to present the movies they crafted about their unique realities.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. March 2011. 3mins07.
Psychedelic Dance Marathon Cabaret
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Who could have imagined that the great depression of the 30’s would have witnessed the rise of dance marathons? Marathons where the most desperate danced for months on end, something sinking into insanity or even dying. Revisiting the longest and most grueling of these desperate contests, the artists of Vancouver’s Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret have imaged a completely wild show. Prepare yourself to explore the dark underbelly of economic depression but also the dance of cooperation.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. February 2011. 3mins12.
Animation to change the world
A short film by Alexandra Guité
How would like to change the world? What does the media overlook? These are the kinds of question REEL YOUTH’s filmmakers ask youths in workshops they hold in alternative schools and detention centres throughout the country. Their answers just might surprise you.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. February 2011. 3mins14.
Beyond Death : Historian Chuck Davis’ legacy
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Known affectionately as Mr. Vancouver, historian Chuck Davis was the reference on Vancouver’s history. His hallmark book, The Vancouver Book, is the second most stolen of the municipal library. In October 2010, knowing he had only a few weeks left to live, he called out for help to finish his final and most extensive book on his beloved city. Many answered the plea. Now, three months after his death, his colleagues and family are working around the clock to complete his work, just in time for Vancouver’s 125 years celebrations.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. February 2011. 2mins50.
Dancing Ballroom to the top
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Steve Gaudet and Laure Colmard are France’s ballroom dancing champions. Their dream: becoming World champions. Overcoming the challenges of slow waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, slow fox and quickstep, they have come to Vancouver to compete against the world’s best dancers in an exhilarating World Cup. Will they triumph?
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. February 2011. 2mins47.
Portable Theatre in the Streets of Vancouver
A short film by Alexandra Guité
We might know about podcasts, but what would you say about discovering Podplays, or portable theatre plays. That is the theatrical experience actress and author Adrienne Wong has crafted. A unique theatrical experience where the audience gets to get out of its chairs and explore Vancouver, while reliving the play.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. January 2011. 2mins39.
Painting to Afghanistan
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Painter Christopher Hennebery and photographer Shaun O’Mara’s dream of transporting you to Afghanistan…through painting. Their aim: understand and depict what reservists, non-professional soldiers, live on the front. This is a mission these two ex-reservists are pursuing purely out of their own passion. A passion that will soon take them to be embedded with the 22nd regiment, the Van Doos, in Afghanistan.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. Producer: Marc Cotton. January 2011. 3mins08.
Alain, a homeless photographer
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Because of his alcohol problems, Alain lost both his job and his home a little over a year ago. Since, he sleeps at the Union Gospel Mission. In the last year, however he has found a new form of expression that has helped him completely change his life.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : Radio-Canada. Producer: Marc Cotton. January 2011. 2mins24.
High Marocan Fashion in Vancouver’s suburbs
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Salwa Gardaf, a housewife and mother of five children dreams of transforming women into princesses. This prolific Burnaby based designer creates somptuous gowns that bridge the gap between Haute-Couture and Oriental tradition. Recently she trew a evening just for ladies of the local Muslim community, an evening where women could explore both their feminity and their sensuality, away from the gaze of men.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : CBC/Radio-Canada. Producer: Marc Cotton. 2011. 2mins41.
Across five continents to discover world happiness
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Arielle de Garie and Stéphane Demers want to understand what makes human beings happy. This couple of adventurous souls have thus chosen to cross by van the 5 continents, making a movie about their discoveries. In Vancouver, they face numerous problems that might just jeopardize their ambitious filmmaking.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : Radio-Canada. Producer: Christian Molgat. 2010. 2mins58.
Elaine Lee, an artist with bones of glass
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Elaine Lee was not meant to live more than 2 years. Born with the brittle born disease, all of her bones where broken when she was born. Today, she is 31 years and has just graduated from Emily Carr University’s Fine Arts Program in Vancouver. She is 2 feet tall and weights in at 29 pounds. Her creative imagination knows no boundaries: she writes, draws, paints and performs. In spite of the cruel gaze that is often cast on her, she strives with all her wit and humour to be seen not just as a person with a disability but simply as a Woman.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : Radio-Canada. Producer: Christian Molgat. 2010. 2mins35.
Free Computer Access Under threat
A short film by Alexandra Guité
For many Canadians, computer and Internet access still are luxuries. The Community Access Program (CAP) seeks to bridge the digital divide by offering access and training to the needy. But this program could be cut, to the great distress of its users.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : Radio-Canada. Producer: Marc Cotton. 2010. 2mins17.
Men’s movements
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Men often suffer in silence, commit suicide more often than women and boys are dropping out of school at alarming rates. And Manology specialist John Hatfield has had enough. To get men to break out of their old roles, he is coordinating Vancouver’s first International Men’s Day.
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : Radio-Canada. Producer: Christian Molgat. 2010. 2mins12.
Gentrification and Homelessness
A short film by Alexandra Guité
Fashionable areas are eating up more and more of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Even the prices of most squalid hotel rooms are rising. And its most vulnerable residents, such as Fraser Stuart, worry about not being able to afford to pay the rent. Where to go now?
Researched, written, directed, filmed and edited by Alexandra Guité. Production : Radio-Canada. Producer: Christian Molgat. 2010. 2mins22.
Un documentaire d’Alexandra Guité
A short film by Alexandra Guité
A short film by Alexandra Guité
A short film by
A short film by Alexandra Guité
A short film by Alexandra Guité
A short film by Alexandra Guité
A short film by Alexandra Guité