Caroline Monet's film Bootlegger brings Kittigan Zibi to the big screen at Ashinabuka Festival

Montreal-based filmmaker Caroline Monnet will screen her latest film Bootlegger on Sunday night at her Asinabka Festival in Ottawa. Expect her to be a little nervous at times.

"I'm a little more nervous about showing this film than usual," says Anishinaabe French, 37, who spent her youth in Aylmer. Artist, Monnet says. She said, "It's the first time a childhood friend has seen a movie."

Additionally, her 2021 film for the award-winning Monet is primarily based in Kittigan, the Anisinabeg Reserve north of Ottawa, where her givi Taken at So people in that community, including Monet's cousin, can watch the bootlegger on the outdoor terrace of her art gallery in Ottawa.

"The Utahue region is rarely shown on screen. It was a real pleasure to film that land," Monet said of her decision to film in her mother's hometown. I'm here.

Monet likens making her film to "running a marathon," and she says it takes her five years to write, direct and produce one. For her Bootlegger, she began work on her script in 2015 and shot the film in Kitty Ganjibi, Montreal, and Oka in the fall of 2019.

Monet's work to date includes about a dozen short films, including documentaries and experimental films, but Bootlegger is her first feature-length story. .

This film depicts a young woman returning to a remote area in northern Quebec. , Mani's story. she grew up Mani, played by Kahnawake-born actress Devery Jacobs on the TV series Reservation Dogs, becomes embroiled in a debate over a referendum to allow free sale of alcohol. Mani meets Laura, a trafficker played by Quebec actress Pascal Boussiere, who makes her profit under the protection of the Community Council. Two women's stances divide the community.

"The film is about resilience and determination, and how the Indian laws that still govern Indigenous communities today impact families across generations." is just an excuse to talk about it,” says Monet.

Monet says that indigenous stories are often told by non-indigenous filmmakers. "It was important to me to bring an authentic take on something full of love, showing the harsh reality, but in a gentle way." Bootlegger was released last year. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic situation, the film, which features music from Inuk Throat singer Tanya Tagak and Toronto-based drummer Gene Martin, did not get wide exposure in theaters.

However, she played on the festival circuit and won an award. Bootlegger premiered at last year's Vancouver International Film Festival and earned Monet the award for best emerging filmmaker.

Bootlegger won Best Drama Award at her 2021 ImagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival in Toronto. Monet said, "The most important award... The community loves the film and sees it as authentic and compelling."

, winner of this year's Quebec Iris Award.

Monet says it was important that the Kitigan Zibi community saw his Bootlegger before anyone else. The film was shown over a year ago at summer drive-in screenings at the community, before the film festival took place.

"People were in trucks. A lot of honking. I was nervous," says Monet.

Monet studied sociology and communications at the University of Ottawa, but he soon found his way as a visual artist and filmmaker.

"I think artists and filmmakers are a bit like sociologists. We have to respond to the world around us. must propose a dialogue," says Monet. "My work always has a big social component."

She spends her time visualizing her art. And the movie is not divided into, but it is said that it is going at the same time. "I love both worlds and both mediums," she says.

"Visual art inspires me and inspires me creatively. I don't want to choose between the two. I'm really invested in both." Monnet was awarded the $25,000 Sobey Art Award in recognition of her interdisciplinary work.

Ashinabuka She is due to arrive in Ottawa on Friday, two days after her festival of indigenous arts began.

The festival supportsIndigenous films and videos. Now in its 11th year, media art, music and performance “have their own character,” says Monet.

She said the festival has an international reach, showcasing works by indigenous artists from around the world. This year's edition features Australian, Malaysian, Norwegian and Filipino films in addition to artists from Canada, the United States, Chile, Mexico, Venezuela and New Zealand.

"It will be a hub for exchange and dialogue on indigenous issues," says Monet.  Looking forward to seeing the film ahead of her presentation closing the film festival on Saturday. Movies are shown at least 5 times daily.

"It's a place where you can find works you can't find anywhere else," she says.

Ashinabuka Film and Media Arts Festival
What it does: Face-to-face and online festival of films, videos, media arts, music and performances produced by indigenous peoples
Date: August 10-14
Location: Ottawa Art Gallery, Club Saw, Gallery 101
Schedules and Information: asinabkafestival . org
ticket: eventbrite. ca, search for 'Asinabka'

Bootlegger
What: 81 min prizes - winning film mostly shot at Kittigan Gibi
When
Where: Ottawa Art Gallery outdoor terrace

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