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The Necessities of Life

7.5/10(17)
2008
102 min
Drama

Overview

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

Production

Téléfilm Canada · Astral Media · Société Radio-Canada · Super Écran · APTN · ACPAV · SODEC

Cast & Characters

Natar Ungalaaq as Tiivii

Natar Ungalaaq

Tiivii

Éveline Gélinas as Carole

Éveline Gélinas

Carole

Paul-André Brasseur

Kaki

Louise Marleau as Soeur Luce

Louise Marleau

Soeur Luce

Guy Thauvette as Dr. Montpetit

Guy Thauvette

Dr. Montpetit

Antoine Bertrand as Roger

Antoine Bertrand

Roger

Vincent-Guillaume Otis as Joseph

Vincent-Guillaume Otis

Joseph

Denis Bernard as Père Millaire

Denis Bernard

Père Millaire

Luc Proulx as L'horloger

Luc Proulx

L'horloger

Miali Buscemi

Qupanuaq

Ann-Sophie Archer

Infirmière de jour

Alexandre Thériault

Patient jaloux

Directors & Crew

B

Benoît Pilon

Director

B

Bernadette Payeur

Producer

R

René Chénier

Producer

B

Bernard Émond

Screenplay

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