The Magical Phenomenon at Manicouagan: Astronomical Event or Mystical Occurrence?
On a Different Shore
Nadine Beaudet shares her fascination as stunning landscapes unfold on screen - this is her fifth film. Manicouagan, her latest, packs a personal punch. Exposing the area's intricate history and transformation, Beaudet delves deep, leaving no stone unturned.
The film isn't a sprint; it's a contemplative journey across the vast expanse of the Manicouagan region. Beaudet's lens captures a vivid tableau of indigenous families, scientists, and adventurers alike who've etched their lives onto this land.
Born in the heart of a remote settlement, Pointe-aux-Outardes, Beaudet's parents ventured down a gravel road. Those early years were unlit at night, endless seas stretching into the horizon. Her first love was a modest paper birch, an ode to being overwhelmed by nature's grandeur.
A World Drowned
A native Innu recounts his experience helping build the Manic hydroelectric dam in the 40s. Awakened from his childhood, he remembers the place where he was born almost completely erased. Overwhelmed, he watched as his territory sank under a rising tide.
When the dams were installed, the reservoir began to form, swallowing everything in sight. "I never thought the water would go that far," he says, sighing. Pillaging his parents' belongings, only the essentials were rescued. "At least 100 camps went under."
Speaking of his grandparents, he laments the loss of their language. "There's nothing left of us," he says, despair creeping into his voice. "We're no longer able to speak about the territory." Without a connection to their roots, how can they truly understand others?
From the Heights
Michel Denis, a man of many trades and curiosity, resides among the Groulx Mountains. Approaching 80, striving to grab distant radio signals, Denis claims, "I feel like a Terrian. I no longer feel Quebecois, or Canadian, or North American. I am a resident of Planet Earth. [...] I feel solidarity with animals, who are also Terrans." A sentimental believer in love, Denis emphasizes its far-reaching power, encompassing all life forms.
Behind the Scenes
Nadine Beaudet's narrative, though eloquent, can sometimes feel incomplete, her presence felt only in fragments. Could the film have resonated more forcefully with another voice? Possibly. Nonetheless, Manicouagan delivers revelation after revelation, leaving the viewer both amazed and moved.
Among the compelling stories, Ishkuess, an 89-year-old woman, shares her birth story in the now-submerged high country. Despite religious pressure, she delivered her child unassisted in the wilderness, an act of strength and resilience to behold.
From Claire's welcoming arms at Relais Gabriel to tales of cosmic spectatorship, Beaudet's lens captures the essence of this extraordinary, often overlooked corner of the world. This is a film about love - a love for the planet, its people, and the eternal dance between life and death.
- In the realm of cultural travel, the French documentary 'Manicouagan' offers insights into the environmental science and climate-change effects in the Manicouagan region, with a focus on the lifestyle of its local inhabitants, indigenous families, scientists, and adventurers.
- As part of an environmental-science study tour, a trip to the Manicouagan region could include a visit to Michel Denis, a resident among the Groulx Mountains, who embodies a unique perspective on his planetary identity and the interconnectedness of all living beings on Earth.
- Upon returning from a journey to the Manicouagan region and in contemplation of the transformation unfolded in the documentary, one may choose to adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle and become an advocate for preserving our planet, in commemoration of the lost territories and languages featured in the film.
