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Isolation and Solitude (8)
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AphasiaMarielle Dalpé 2023 3 minPropelled by a jarring, lyrical aesthetic, Aphasia pulls viewers into a disconcerting sensory experience. This striking and unsettling debut professional animated short by Marielle Dalpé is a deeply moving foray into the heart of aphasia—a devastating neurocognitive condition that progressively destroys the ability to speak and understand words, afflicting many people with Alzheimer’s disease. -
Bravery in the FieldGiles Walker 1979 28 minThis dramatic film introduces us to Tommy, a World War II veteran who rooms alone, waiting for his pension cheque to arrive, passing the time in the evenings with his cronies in the Legion Hall. Lennie can claim only a third of Tommy's years, but he prowls the same area of town, and the two have more in common than either of them realizes. Both their lives lack a sense of place and purpose. The story occurs early in November and leads up to an event that provides one of Tommy's few remaining moments of glory, the annual veterans' Remembrance Day parade.
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Le quêteux Tremblay (English Version)Michel Brault & André Gladu 1977 25 minGaspé fiddler William Tremblay describes his lifestyle. In times past, Quebec’s quêteux—neither beggars nor homeless—had a social function. They were respected figures who brought news, told tales and stories, cast spells, and were often fine musicians. In exchange, they were welcomed, lodged, and fed.
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MamieJanice Nadeau 2016 6 minMamie lives in Gaspésie in a house that faces away from the sea. Her granddaughter wonders: “Why isn’t Mamie interested in me or her other grandchildren? Why won’t she give me any affection or her beautiful blanket? What happened that made Mamie so indifferent?” In this wonderful animation of hand-painted watercolours, the filmmaker reaches back into her own childhood memories to share a personal and touching story about the break in “passing things on” between her and her grandmother.
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Mother's ColoursJoyce Borenstein 2011 8 minThis animated short tells the story of Judith, an elderly woman who moves into a senior’s residence where she feels lonely and alienated. There, she discovers that she can escape into her painting. Her neighbour, Greg, notices her diving into her landscape and follows after her.
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Pumpkins and Old LaceJuliette Loubières 2010 8 minThis short animation tells the story of a photographer who’s hunting the perfect “Granny or Grandpa” poster face for an adult diaper company. Camera in hand, he approaches a retirement home. A quick look at a couple of “nice old folks” and that should do it! But it’s just the beginning of the story… or stories, rather. While the folks he meets are a bit long in the tooth, they all have lots to say.
With Pumpkins and Old Lace, Juliette Loubières joins the classic tradition of puppet animation films, creating a sincere, whimsical morality tale that reminds us that old age can sometimes be a mask hiding the treasures of our souls. -
Saturday NightRosana Matecki 2021 15 minA short documentary essay on solitude, filmed in Spanish and narrated by filmmaker Rosana Matecki, Saturday Night offers a poetic and bittersweet snapshot of aging in an urban setting, viewed through the lens of dance. An immersive soundscape and a delicate tempo set the mood for this intimate exploration of resilience and nostalgia.
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The ZooJulia Kwan 2018 11 minThe Zoo follows the parallel lives of a polar bear cub in a popular city zoo and a Chinese boy who visits him until they’re both in their twilight years.
