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The Skiff of Renald and Thomas

1980 57 min
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Five men work together in a communal effort to build a skiff on Ile-aux-Coudres, an island in the St. Lawrence River. It is built in a traditional fashion, all the more remarkable because no blueprint is used. The film does not merely record a building tradition, it reveals the character of the craftsmen, who are influenced by a pre-industrial way of life underscored by spontaneity and wit.

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The Skiff of Renald and Thomas

Details

Five men work together in a communal effort to build a skiff on Ile-aux-Coudres, an island in the St. Lawrence River. It is built in a traditional fashion, all the more remarkable because no blueprint is used. The film does not merely record a building tradition, it reveals the character of the craftsmen, who are influenced by a pre-industrial way of life underscored by spontaneity and wit.
  • director
    Bernard Gosselin
  • editing
    Bernard Gosselin
  • producer
    Michel Brault
  • camera
    Jean-Pierre Lachapelle
  • sound
    Serge Beauchemin
    Richard Besse
  • music
    Alain Lamontagne

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Education

Ages 15 to 18
School subjects

What can be done to ensure that traditional skills are preserved? How can society foster a greater appreciation for well-made, locally produced items? What does the building of the skiff say about the importance of cooperation in small communities? Address how arts and crafts contribute to the documenting of Canada’s history. Are there any skills that you have that were passed down to you by older family members? 

The Skiff of Renald and Thomas
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