The Necessities of Life (2008)
Ce qu'il faut pour vivre
102 min
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
- Release date
- August 25, 2008
- Country of origin
- Canada
- Music
- Robert Marcel Lepage
Where to watch
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Trailer
Cast
- Natar Ungalaaq as Tiivii
- Éveline Gélinas as Carole
- Paul-André Brasseur as Kaki
- Louise Marleau as Soeur Luce
- Guy Thauvette as Dr. Montpetit
- Antoine Bertrand as Roger
- Vincent-Guillaume Otis as Joseph
- Denis Bernard as Père Millaire
- Luc Proulx as L'horloger
- Frédérick Bouffard as Patient agonisant
- Elisapie Isaac as Mère inuk malade
- Sylvain Brosseau as Infirmier-chauffeur
- Nicola-Frank Vachon as Patient salle commune
- Jean-Alexandre Létourneau as Patient salle commune
- Miali Buscemi as Qupanuaq
Crew
- Benoit Pilon · Director
- Bernard Émond · Writer
- Bernadette Payeur · Producer
- Robert Marcel Lepage · Composer
- Michel La Veaux · Cinematographer
- Richard Comeau · Editor