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Gene Boy Came Home

This short documentary by celebrated filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin is a portrait of Eugene "Gene Boy" (pronounced Genie Boy) Benedict, from Odanak Indian Reserve (near Montreal, Quebec). At 17, he enlisted in the US Marines and was sent to the frontlines of the Vietnam War. This film is the account of his 2 years of service and his long journey back to Odanak afterwards.
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This short documentary by celebrated filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin is a portrait of Eugene "Gene Boy" (pronounced Genie Boy) Benedict, from Odanak Indian Reserve (near Montreal, Quebec). At 17, he enlisted in the US Marines and was sent to the frontlines of the Vietnam War. This film is the account of his 2 years of service and his long journey back to Odanak afterwards.

 This work contains scenes of violence. Viewer discretion is advised.
Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations and Métis) War, Conflict and Peace All subjects
Indigenous Cinema
  • director
    Alanis Obomsawin
  • editor
    Alison Burns
  • camera
    Philippe Amiguet
  • camera assistant
    Denis Fortier
    Sébastien Cassou
  • location sound
    Raymond Marcoux
  • original music
    Francis Grandmont
  • musician
    Francis Grandmont
    Normand Guilbeault
    Jean-Denis Levasseur
    Pierre Lavoie
  • infographics
    Louise Overy
  • drawings
    Georgette Obomsawin
  • technical support - editing
    Danielle Raymond
  • online editing
    Denis Pilon
  • titles
    Philippe Raymond
  • sound editing
    Don Ayer
  • re-recording
    Jean Paul Vialard
  • music recording
    Geoffrey Mitchell
    Sylvain Cajelais
  • sound operation centre
    Daniel Trépanier
    Sylvain Cajelais
    Hilary Thomson
  • administration
    Marie Tonto-Donati
    Nickie Merulla
  • production administration assistant
    Christine Williams
  • post-production coordinator
    Linda Payette
  • marketing manager
    Moira Keigher
  • researcher
    Alanis Obomsawin
    Katherine Kasirer
  • producer
    Alanis Obomsawin
  • executive producer
    Ravida Din

Education

Ages 15 to 16
School subjects
History - World History Indigenous Studies - History/Politics
This film is relevant because of its focus on two great historical taboos: the situation of Aboriginal peoples in Canada, and the Vietnam War. Teachers may want to screen the first few minutes of the film to illustrate more concretely the situation of Native peoples at the turn of the 20th century in Canada. Teachers of courses that cover the Vietnam War can make use of the archival footage in the film as a visual aid.

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Gene Boy Came Home
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