Duke Canadian Film Series: The Great White North October 25, 2010

Director: Benoit Pilon. Written by Bernard Émond and Benoit Pilon.

In French and Inuktitut with English subtitles. 92 minutes.
THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE is a powerful tale of emotional sensitivity effectively told. The story, set in 1952 concerns an Inuit hunter by the name of Tivii (Natar Ungalaag), separated from home, life and family to recover from tuberculosis at a sanatorium in Quebec City. Isolated socially and unable to speak French, Tivii just wants to die. But the kind yet firm doctor refuses to let his patient go. “I won’t let him die!” “Put him on I.V. I hold you personally responsible,” he tells the nurse in one of the film’s more moving segments. The rest of the CE QU’IL FAUT POUR VIVRE deals with Tivii’s recuperation – both from his physical illness and his mental state. The sharing of his culture with Kaki (Paul-Andre Brasseur), a sick boy who can speak both Inuit and French helps Tivii with the purpose of living. The script does well to contrast both the Inuit and Quebecois worlds. The Director takes great pains to create the 50’s setting – vintage cars, wardrobe, props – and it works. Pilon’s film is not only gorgeous to look at, but feels complete as a period piece. The exterior scenes (trees; rivers; streets) are also well shot. Pilon unfolds his tale as slow as the cure for TB but it is a harrowing no-nonsense account that never lags in drama or excitement. Pilon is not afraid to tackle the more uncomfortable stuff as well. The sexual attraction Tivii feels for his kindly nurse, Carole is dealt with both sensitivity and realism. The result is a remarkably intense tale that shows what it means to live and feel alive. The film illustrates the basic needs of human beings – food, freedom and sex. Pilon’s film also demonstrates an audience’s occasional need for a good emotional, realistic tale about human beings. The lead actor, who also starred in ATANARJUAT, THE FAST RUNNER, won best actor honors at the Quebec Film Awards. The film was acclaimed by critics and received the Special Grand Prize of Jury of the Montreal World Film Festival. It was also nominated at the Namur International Film Festival and Vancouver International Film Festival. The film was Canada’s submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 81st Academy Awards. Genie Award for Best Achievement in Direction, Ce qu'il faut pour vivre.