The Necessities of Life (Ce qu'il faut pour vivre)
(Benoît Pilon, 2008, 102 min, Canada, in Inuktitut/French w/ English subtitles, Color, 35mm)

NC Premiere of the award-winning film!

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. Ce qu'il faut pour vivre was Canada’s submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 81st Academy Awards, and the lead actor, who also starred in Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner, won best actor honors at the Quebec Film Awards. Part of the Great White North Series.

-- Best Director, Actor and Screenplay at the 2009 Genie Awards (Canadian Oscars)!

-- Best Film, Actor and Screenplay at the 2009 Jutra/Quebec Film Awards!

Cost: Free and Open to the Public

Sponsors: Program in Arts of the Moving Image (AMI), Duke Arts Festival and Center for Canadian Studies