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The Rendez-vous de la francophonie 2021

The Rendez-vous de la francophonie 2021

For its 23rd edition, the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie (RVF) is honouring Canada’s Acadian region and its people, whose French-language culture has survived, strong and proud, through the years. The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is taking part in the RVF for the 16th consecutive year, offering free programs of new films and classics, and, for the first time, an interactive production that can be experienced on mobile phones, tablets, or VR headsets: Parliament: The Virtual Experience , a tour of this historic and highly symbolic building. Discover the NFB’s programming at the Rendez-vous de la francophonie on this page. You will find the Registration Form here.

  • Higher Than Flames Will Go
    2020|1 h 43 min

    An adaptation of Louise Dupré’s acclaimed book of poetry, Higher Than Flames Will Go is a moving meditation on the vital importance of taking care of our children, a task that remains essential to humanity’s salvation.

  • Bittersweet Blues
    2015|24 min

    This short documentary links family memories to the evolution of Acadian French. Bittersweet Blues reveals the dilemma that Acadians face: do they adopt normative French in order to be better understood, or proudly continue to use their own language, which reflects the colourful flavour of their own authentic culture?

    This film was made as part of the Tremplin program, in collaboration with Radio-Canada.

  • Jack Kerouac's Road - A Franco-American Odyssey

    Part documentary, part drama, this film presents the life and work of Jack Kerouac, an American writer with Québec roots who became one of the most important spokesmen for his generation. Intercut with archival footage, photographs and interviews, this film takes apart the heroic myth and even returns to the childhood of the author whose life and work contributed greatly to the cultural, sexual and social revolution of the 1960s.

  • Kenbe la, Until We Win
    2019|1 h 23 min

    Some dreamers have the power to inspire us, bring us together, and help us reconnect with our humanity. Alain Philoctète, a Haitian artist and activist who settled in Quebec, returns to the country of his birth to develop a permaculture project with local farmers. There, he has an emotional reunion with family members and his former comrades in arms, whose ideals remain unshaken despite the lingering aftermath of the 2010 earthquake and political instability. However, Alain, who is suffering from cancer, has to undergo treatment in Montreal, where his loved ones provide the same degree of affection and solidarity as he receives in Haiti. Director Will Prosper films this inspiring dreamer on his hopeful quest, chronicling the challenges of exile and illness with the personal, knowing touch of a longtime friend. With a rich score composed by Jenny Salgado, Kenbe la, Until We Win offers a cinematic journey that will move viewers to ponder the importance of embracing ideals and passing them on.

  • Innu-Aimun - The Innu Language

    A beautiful music video featuring the talented group Uashtushkuau singing an emotional song, in Innu, about the importance of protecting Aboriginal languages. Since 2004, the travelling studios of Wapikoni Mobile have enabled Quebec First Nations youth to express themselves through videos and music. This short film was made with the guidance of these travelling studios and is part of the 2008 Selection - Wapikoni Mobile DVD.

  • The Peep Show
    1962|8 min

    This short cartoon film for young kids tells the adventures of a little chick from the time he falls from an egg basket and breaks out of his shell. Together with a duck who waddles along, he goes to explore the world and discovers there is much to learn, even in his own farmyard. (The Peep Show is an early version of the acclaimed cartoon Peep and the Big Wide World.)

  • Peep and the Big Wide World
    1988|34 min

    This series of three 10-minute films features Peep the chicken, Chirp the robin and Quack the duck. On their travels, they meet a cat, a ladybug, a turtle and a frog who speaks from both sides of his mouth. Narrated by Peter Ustinov, these films are great for young children aged 3–5.

  • Tchou-tchou
    1972|13 min

    This short children's film by Co Hodeman tells the story of 2 children and their encounter with an angry dragon, all represented by colourful building blocks.

  • Pimp My Boat
    2005|5 min

    Traditional Acadian lobster trapping meets global-village pop culture in this amusing parody of the popular MTV reality show "Pimp my Ride." Join host Bubs and his gang on Bell-Côte wharf as they set out to renovate and modify old fisherman Albény's trusty boat.

  • The New Brunswick Acadians
    2012|2 min

    This animated clip illustrates the lives and realities of New Brunswick Acadians. It comes from the game Ta parole est en jeu, which playfully explores the richness and variety of the French language in Canada.

  • Wind
    1972|9 min

    A child's first discovery of wind--the silent, invisible something that tickles his fancy, ruffles his hair, ripples the grass around him--portrayed here in winsome animated drawings. But the artist also shows the elemental force that carries all before it. Without words but with sound effects, this is a film of universal appeal.

  • The Prince Edward Island Acadians
    2012|1 min

    This animated clip illustrates the lives and realities of Prince Edward Island Acadians. It comes from the game Ta parole est en jeu, which playfully explores the richness and variety of the French language in Canada.

  • The Boy Next Door
    1962|18 min

    When French-speaking Jacques moves next door to English-speaking Jimmy, each is amazed to find that the other doesn't speak his language. But when it comes to exploring and playing together, language just doesn't seem to matter. Each soon finds himself venturing into the other's language.

  • Nova Scotia Acadians, The
    2012|2 min

    This animated clip illustrates the lives and realities of Nova Scotia Acadians. It comes from the game Ta parole est en jeu, which playfully explores the richness and variety of the French language in Canada.

  • The Juggler
    1980|12 min

    A juggler in a park opens his magic box and takes out 3 balls. The audience marvels at his dexterity, until one ball escapes. The mutinous ball takes on magical properties as it draws the juggler into a series of adventures with many levels of meaning: appearance, fantasy and love. Without words.