The Necessities of Life

 For a Canadian like myself "Ce Qu'il Faut Pour Vivre" (The Neccesities of Life: 2015) exhibits two foreign elements.  Most of it is in French, but an important component language is Inukitut.  Language is critical and as a Canadian I am embarrassed that my French is very pathetic, but was a positive experience in my life.  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/07/travels-of-salesman-part-3-quebec.html

We see Tiiviis in his native Arctic and learn he has developed tuberculosis and is sent south to Quebec City.  A major problem is that he is the only speaker of his language Inuktitut.  He is very un co-operative and the medical staff eventually find a young boy who speaks French and Inuktitut.  Kaki does make a difference and becomes a translator through a few difficult conversations.  There is a bit of clash of cultures (you will laugh at one of them), but nothing too serious.

 Director was Benoit Pilon who has 11 director credits, 8 for writing and 4 as assistant director including "Iqaluit" (2016).   

Writer was Bernard Emond  with 11 writing credits, 11 for directing and 1 for acting. 

Bernadette Payeur was the producer.  She has 31 producer credits including "The Auction" (2013) and "Iqaluit" (2016)

Music provided by Robert Marcel Lepage.  Plays the clarinet and saxophone.  He has 184 credits for composing, 18 for the music department and 2 for the sound department.

Michel La Veaux handled the cinematography.  He has 68 cinematography credits, 7 for the camera and electrical department and 5 for directing including "The Auction" (2013) and "Iqaluit" (2016)

Richard Comeau was the editor.  He has 74 editor credits, 4 for editorial department and 3 for the sound department including "Maelstrom" (2000), "Polytechnique" (2009), "Gabrielle" (2013), " Guibord s'en va-t-en-guerre" (2015), "Iqaluit" (2016) and "Two Lovers and a Bear" (2016).

Natar Ungalaaq played the lead actor Tiivii.  He had been an Inuit sculpture who had used profits from carving to buy camera gear and then went on to start a production company.  He has 18 acting credits, 3 for cinematography and 1 for directing  including "Atanarjaet--The Fast Runner" (2001), "The Journal of Knud Rasmussen" (2006), "Maina" (2013) and "The Grizzlies" (2018). http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/01/an-unexpected-canadian-film-gem.html

Eveline Gelinas, played the nurse most often seen caring for  Tiiviis.  She has 17 acting credits.

Paul-Andre Brasseur played the young boy Kaki.  He was part Inuit and spoke French.  He got help with the Inukitut dialogue from Natar.  He has 2 acting credits including "Maina" (2013).

Antoine Bertrand played Roger another patient.  He was a popular tv. host.  He has 41 acting credits including "Starbuck" (2011), "Louis Cyr" (2013) and "Ego Trip" (2015).

Guy Thauvette played Dr. Montpetit.  He has 90 acting credits including "Misrine:  Killer Instinct" (2008), "Catch Me If You Can" (2002) and "Endorphine" (2015).

The culture clash may seem strange, but it is one of the factors that makes it worth viewing.  It is available subtitled on Netflix.