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White-Whale Hunters of Anse-Aux-Basques
1960
29 min
Leaving soon
On the North Shore of the St. Lawrence, the Otis family hunts for white whales and seals with rusty old rifles in hand-crafted boats. This is the traditional method of the Basque whalers who frequented the coast in the 16th century.
This work contains scenes of violence. Viewer discretion is advised.
On the North Shore of the St. Lawrence, the Otis family hunts for white whales and seals with rusty old rifles in hand-crafted boats. This is the traditional method of the Basque whalers who frequented the coast in the 16th century.
This work contains scenes of violence. Viewer discretion is advised.
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directorRené BonnièrePierre Perrault
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textPierre Perrault
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English textJudith Crawley
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photographyMichel Thomas-d'Hoste
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soundTony BettsDavid Howells
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sound editingBarrie Howells
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narratorLloyd Bochner
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musicLarry Crosley
Ages 6 to 11
School subjects
Exploring the waterway that has shaped our history, the St. Lawrence, we can trace the story of the Basques who came to North America to fish for cod, well before Cartier and Champlain. Have students draw the river between Montreal and Gaspé, including the many colourful islands, and identify places that have Basque-sounding names. Some, in the estuary, still bear the traces of their travels. Which ones?