They Had Thirteen Children...

In this short documentary, filmmaker Anika Lirette retraces the unusual life of her Acadian grandparents, who had 13 children. Of the 13, eight had intellectual and physical disabilities - all caused by phenylketonuria, a genetic disorder now known to be easily managed through diet. Through first-person accounts and archival photography, the film traces the history of her family as it struggled with the consequences of the disorder, at a time when the Catholic Church condemned birth control and medical services were virtually non-existent.

This documentary short was produced as part of the Tremplin program, which enables young Francophone filmmakers to make a first production in a professional context.

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Film Credit

participation
Lucille Cormier
Murielle Lirette
Roger Lirette
Yvon Lirette
Albertine Beers
Marie Breau
Léontine Lirette
Rita Lirette
Céleste Lirette
Arsène Lirette
Florence Lirette
director
Anika Lirette
researcher
Anika Lirette
writer
Anika Lirette
narrator
Anika Lirette
picture editing
Marie Hamelin
camera
François Vincelette
location sound
Stéphane Barsalou
sound design
Daniel Toussaint
re-recording
Daniel Toussaint
original music
Jean-François Mallet
pre-shoot consultant
Monique LeBlanc
foley
Lise Wedlock
re-recording
Luc Léger
producer
Murielle Rioux-Poirier
Maryse Chapdelaine

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