Kuessipan

{{Short description|2019 Canadian drama film}}

{{Cleanup|reason=awards table has been excessively padded out with non-notable awards referenced to WP:PRIMARYSOURCES rather than reliable source coverage in media treating the award as news|date=October 2024}}

{{Infobox film

| name = Kuessipan

| image = Kuessipan film poster.jpg

| caption = Film poster

| director = Myriam Verreault

| producer = Félize Frappier

| writer = Myriam Verreault
Naomi Fontaine

| based_on = Kuessipan by Naomi Fontaine

| starring = Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao
Yamie Grégoire
Étienne Galloy

| music = Louis-Jean Cormier

| cinematography = Nicolas Canniccioni

| editing = Amélie Labrèche
Sophie Leblond
Myriam Verreault

| studio = Max Films Media

| distributor = Filmoption

| released = {{film date|2019|09|08|TIFF|ref1=Rhiannon Johnson, [https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/kuessipan-film-premiere-tiff-1.5276411 "Tender coming of age story in Innu community premieres at TIFF"]. CBC News, September 9, 2019.}}

| runtime = 117 minutes

| country = Canada

| language = French
Innu-aimun

| budget =

}}

Kuessipan is a Canadian drama film, directed by Myriam Verreault and released in 2019.{{cite web |author=Peter Howell |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2019/07/31/indigenous-films-highlight-canadian-slate-at-tiff-2019.html |title=Indigenous films highlight Canadian slate at TIFF 2019 |work=Toronto Star |date=July 31, 2019 }} An adaptation of Naomi Fontaine's eponymous novel, the script was co-written by Fontaine and Verreault.{{cite web |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1072180/tournage-kuessipan-film-innu |title=Tournage du film Kuessipan : montrer la force des jeunes Innus |publisher=Ici Radio-Canada |date=December 9, 2017 }} Its plot centres on Mikuan (Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao) and Shaniss (Yamie Grégoire), two young Innu women in Uashat-Maliotenam, whose friendship is strained when Mikuan falls in love with a white man (Étienne Galloy) and plans to move away.{{cite web |url=https://www.lesoleil.com/arts/livres/le-roman-kuessipan-adapte-au-cinema-e126c47f962bf5cd81f8384942a0db40 |title=Le roman Kuessipan adapté au cinéma |work=Le Soleil |date=June 18, 2017 }}

The film premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and was a critical success, garnering praise for its cast and portrayal of Indigenous lives. Its theatrical release on October 4, 2019.

Plot

The film centers on Mikuan and Shaniss, two childhood friends who grow up together in Uashat. Their lives diverge during high school, when Shaniss drops out and has a baby with her abusive boyfriend Greg while Mikuan plans to move away from the reservation and attend university in Quebec City so that she can follow her dream of becoming a writer.

When Mikuan begins dating Francis, a white boy from her writing workshop, her friendship with Shaniss becomes strained. Mikuan helps Shaniss move out from Greg, but they argue after Shaniss accuses Mikuan of rejecting her culture by entering a relationship with Francis and planning to move away.

Mikuan's life is disrupted by the sudden death of her brother, a promising hockey player, and her break up with Francis. She and Shaniss eventually revive their friendship but their lives diverge, as Mikuan becomes a successful author and writes a book about Shaniss.

Cast

Production

= Development =

The title of the film and eponymous novel is an Innu-aimun word meaning "it's your turn", which Fontaine meant to mean "it’s my turn to talk, my turn for my people and I to talk about our community."{{cite web|title=TIFF interview: Kuessipan filmmakers on their Innu coming-of-age story|url=https://seventh-row.com/2019/09/17/kuessipan-interview/|website=www.seventh-row.com|date=17 September 2019 }} Verreault approached Fontaine after reading her novel Kuessipan in 2012 and being "deeply affected" by it. Verreault had previously lived and worked with the Innu community and produced short films about the Innu communities on the North Shore.{{Cite journal |last=Coman |first=Sherry |date=2019 |title=Kuessipan |url=https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2102&context=jrf |journal=Journal of Religion and Film |volume=23 |issue=2}} The two agreed to make a film adaptation together,{{Cite news |last=Dunlevy |first=T'cha |title='Why don't we know them?' Coming-of-age tale is a window into Innu life |work=Montreal Gazette |url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/movies/quebec-coming-of-age-tale-kuessipan-offers-window-into-innu-life}} and co-wrote the film's script together.{{cite web|title=Film version of Naomi Fontaine's Kuessipan debuts at TIFF|url=https://arsenalpulp.com/News/2019/Film-version-of-Naomi-Fontaine-s-Kuessipan-debuts-at-TIFF}}

The original novel is a collection of stories based on Fontaine's experiences growing up in Uashat. Verreault described the book as "not at all adaptable" to film, so she and Fontaine went through a process of creating a singular narrative that captured the themes of the book.{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Alex |date=2019-10-04 |title=Kuessipan deals with the universal|url=https://cultmtl.com/2019/10/kuessipan/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Cult MTL |language=}} Several changes were made from the original novel to adapt it for the screen, including the creation of Mikuan and Shaniss, who are not present in the novel.{{Cite web |last=Hua |first=Vee |date=2021-04-15 |title=Myriam Verrault Interview: Kuessipan Reveals Teen Life in an Innu Community |url=https://redefinemag.net/2021/kuessipan-innu-community-interview-w-director-myriam-verrault/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=REDEFINE}} Production and development of the film took seven years.{{cite web|last=McIntosh|first=Julie|title=Myriam Verreault discusses the making of Kuessipan, an Innu coming-of-age film|url=http://nationnews.ca/arts/myriam-verreault-discusses-the-making-of-kuessipan-an-innu-coming-of-age-film/|website=www.nationnews.ca}}

= Casting =

The cast mostly included non-professional actors, from the Uashat community.{{cite web|title=Tender coming of age story in Innu community premieres at TIFF|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/kuessipan-film-premiere-tiff-1.5276411|website=www.CBC.com}} Over 400 Innu actors took part in the casting process, with Verreault personally meeting with 200 of them. Twenty actors auditioned for the role of Mikuan, with fifteen actors auditioning for the role of Shaniss. Verreault invited three potential candidates for the role of Shaniss and two for the role of Mikuan to take part in a two-week workshop, after which Fontaine-Ishpatao and Grégoire were cast. The film was Fontaine-Ishpatao's debut role.

= Filming =

Cinematographer Nicolas Canniccioni and Verreault shot the film in Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam and Sept-Îles, Quebec.{{cite news |author=Marc-André Lussier |author-link=:fr:Marc-André Lussier|url=https://www.lapresse.ca/cinema/201909/10/01-5240541-tiff-percutante-antigone.php |title=TIFF: percussive Antigone |work=La Presse |date=10 September 2019 |access-date=September 15, 2019 }} It was shot in the French and Innu-aimun languages.{{cite web|title=MEET INNU ACTORS SHARON FONTAINE-ISHPATAO AND YAMI GREGOIRE STARRING IN KUESSIPAN|url=https://www.whatshesaidtalk.com/meet-innu-actors-sharon-fontaine-ishpatao-and-yami-gregoire-starring-in-kuessipan/|website=whatshesaidtalk.com|date=21 April 2020 }}

Release

The film premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. Its theatrical release in Quebec was held on October 4, 2019.

Reception

The film has a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating universal critical acclaim.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-26 |title=Kuessipan - Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kuessipan |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=}} Sara Clements of Exclaim! gave the film an 8 out of 10, writing that the film focused on an Indigenous perspective to portray the culture and experiences of the Innu people.{{Cite web |last=Clements |first=Sara |date=February 18, 2020 |title=TIFF Next Wave Review: 'Kuessipan' Is a Love Letter to Quebec's Innu |url=https://exclaim.ca/film/article/tiff_next_wave_review_kuessipan_is_a_love_letter_to_quebecs_innu-directed_by_myriam_verrault |website=Exclaim!}}

Anne T. Donahue of The Globe and Mail gave the film 4 out of 4 stars, describing the performances of Fontaine-Ishpatao and Grégoire as "raw and unflinching".{{Cite web |date=2019-08-29 |title=TIFF 2019: Updated – The Globe's latest ratings and reviews of movies screening at the festival |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/tiff/article-tiff-2019-the-globes-guide-to-movies-screening-at-the-festival/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=The Globe and Mail |language=}} Erica Commanda of Muskrat Magazine also praised their performances, which she wrote were "down-to-earth and realistic".{{Cite web |last=Commanda |first=Erica |date=2019-09-12 |title=KUESSIPAN IS STUNNINGLY POETIC & STILL ROOTED IN REALISM |url=http://muskratmagazine.com/kuessipan-stunningly-poetic-and-rooted-in-realism/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=MUSKRAT Magazine |language=}}

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
scope="col"| Award

! scope="col"| Date of ceremony

! scope="col"| Category

! scope="col"| Recipient(s) and nominee(s)

! scope="col"| Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}}

scope="row" | Canadian Cinema Editors

| 2 October 2020

| Best Editing in a Feature Film

| Amélie Labrèche, Myriam Verreault, Sophie Leblond

| {{won}}

| {{cite tweet |user=CCE_editors |number=1312195012575162368 |date=2 October 2020 |title=WINNER Best Editing in Feature Film/Meilleur montage d'un long métrage Amélie Labrèche, Myriam Verreault & Sophie Leblond for Kuessipan }}

scope="row" rowspan=3| Canadian Screen Awards

| rowspan="3" | 28 May 2020

| Best Supporting Actor

| Douglas Grégoire

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="3" | {{cite web|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1527585/song-of-names-the-twentieth-century-antigone-prix-ecrans-canadiens |title=Écrans canadiens : Song of Names, The Twentieth Century et Antigone en tête des nominations |publisher=Ici Radio-Canada |date=February 18, 2020}}

Best Supporting Actress

| Yamie Grégoire

| {{nom}}

Best Adapted Screenplay

| Myriam Verreault, Naomi Fontaine

| {{nom}}

scope="row" | Prix collégial du cinéma québécois

| 2020

| Best Film

| Kuessipan

| {{nom}}

| [https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1694419/antigone-prix-collegial-cinema-quebecois-sophie-deraspe "Antigone remporte le Prix collégial du cinéma québécois"]. Ici Radio-Canada, April 15, 2020.

scope="row" rowspan=7| Prix Iris

| rowspan="7" | 10 June 2020

| Best Film

| Félize Frappier

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="7" | {{cite web |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1710960/gala-quebec-cinema-prix-iris-antigone-gagnant |title=Le film Antigone, grand gagnant du Gala Québec Cinéma avec six prix |publisher=Radio-Canada |date=June 10, 2020 |access-date=June 20, 2020 |language=fr }}

Best Director

| Myriam Verreault

| {{nom}}

Best Screenplay

| Myriam Verreault, Naomi Fontaine

| {{nom}}

Best Cinematography

| Nicolas Canniccioni

| {{nom}}

Revelation of the Year

| Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao

| {{nom}}

Best Casting

| Jacinthe Beaudet, Tobie Fraser, Geneviève Hébert, Myriam Verreault

| {{nom}}

Most Successful Film Outside Quebec

!

| {{nom}}

scope="row" | Québec City Film Festival

| 12–21 September 2019

| Grand Prix de la Compétition – Long métrage

!

| {{won}}

| {{cite press release |url=https://www.fcvq.ca/en/news/news/2019-winners |date=2019-09-21 |access-date=2019-10-15 |publisher=Québec City Film Festival |title=2019 Winners }}

scope="row" | Windsor International Film Festival

| 1–10 November 2019

| Prize in Canadian Film

!

| {{won}}

| Alexandre Courtemanche, [https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1385991/autochtone-innu-uashat-utenam-sept-iles-wiff "Kuessipan, meilleur film canadien au Festival international du film de Windsor"]. Ici Radio-Canada Côte-Nord, November 11, 2019.

scope="row" | Trophées francophone du cinéma

| 2021

| Prix du meilleur second rôle féminin

|Yamie Grégoire

| {{won}}

| {{cite press release |url=https://www.filmsquebec.com/yamie-gregoire-primee-aux-trophees-francophones/ |title=Yamie Grégoire primée aux Trophées francophones }}

scope="row" | San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle

| 2021

| Special Citation in Independent Cinema

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.sfbafcc.com/awards|title=Special Citation in Independent Cinema 2021|publisher=San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Festival de cinéma québécois de Biscarosse

| 2021

| Prix du public

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.festivalbiscarosse.com|title=Prix du public 2021|publisher=Festival de cinéma québécois de Biscarosse|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Festival International du film de femmes de Salé

| 2021

| Grand Prix

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.fiffsal.ma|title=Grand Prix 2021|publisher=Festival International du film de femmes de Salé|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Yarha Festival

| 2021

| Prix du Meilleur scénario

| Myriam Verreault, Naomi Fontaine

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.yarha.cm|title=Prix du Meilleur scénario 2021|publisher=Yarha Festival|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Common Good International Film Festival

| 2021

| Prix du Meilleur film

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.cgifilmfest.com|title=Prix du Meilleur film 2021|publisher=Common Good International Film Festival|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | National Indigenous Screen Awards

| 2020

| Prix Meilleure actrice

| Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.niscreenawards.ca|title=Prix Meilleure actrice 2020|publisher=National Indigenous Screen Awards|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | National Indigenous Screen Awards

| 2020

| Meilleure actrice

| Yamie Grégoire

| {{nom}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.niscreenawards.ca|title=Meilleure actrice 2020|publisher=National Indigenous Screen Awards|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Festival international du film d'éducation

| 2020

| Prix du Meilleur long métrage de fiction

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.fife-evreux.com|title=Prix du Meilleur long métrage de fiction 2020|publisher=Festival international du film d'éducation|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Festival International du Film d'Amiens

| 2020

| Grand Prix

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.filmfestamiens.com|title=Grand Prix 2020|publisher=Festival International du Film d'Amiens|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Minsk International Film Festival

| 2020

| Prix du Meilleur film

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.listapad.com|title=Prix du Meilleur film 2020|publisher=Minsk International Film Festival|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Festival Effervescence, Mâcon

| 2020

| Prix du public

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.effervescence-film.com|title=Prix du public 2020|publisher=Festival Effervescence, Mâcon|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Ohlalà Festival de cinema francòfon de Barcelona

| 2020

| Mention spéciale du Jury des jeunes

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.ohlalafilmfestival.com|title=Mention spéciale du Jury des jeunes 2020|publisher=Ohlalà Festival de cinema francòfon de Barcelona|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Nashville Film Festival

| 2020

| Grand prix - Best narrative Feature

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.nashfilm.org|title=Grand prix - Best narrative Feature 2020|publisher=Nashville Film Festival|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Film by the Sea, Vlissingen

| 2020

| Prix TV5 Monde - Meilleur film francophone

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.filmbythesea.nl|title=Prix TV5 Monde - Meilleur film francophone 2020|publisher=Film by the Sea, Vlissingen|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Cinemagic Belfast

| 2020

| Meilleur film de fiction

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.cinemagic.org.uk|title=Meilleur film de fiction 2020|publisher=Cinemagic Belfast|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Molodist Kyiv Film Festival

| 2020

| Scythian Deer - Grand Prix (ex aequo)

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.molodist.com|title=Scythian Deer - Grand Prix (ex aequo) 2020|publisher=Molodist Kyiv Film Festival|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Molodist Kyiv Film Festival

| 2020

| Mention spéciale du Jury œcuménique

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.molodist.com|title=Mention spéciale du Jury œcuménique 2020|publisher=Molodist Kyiv Film Festival|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Zlin International Film Festival

| 2020

| Grand Prix

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.zlinfest.cz|title=Grand Prix 2020|publisher=Zlin International Film Festival|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Festival du film canadien de Dieppe

| 2020

| Prix du Public - TV5 Monde

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.festival-dieppe.fr|title=Prix du Public - TV5 Monde 2020|publisher=Festival du film canadien de Dieppe|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Festival du film canadien de Dieppe

| 2020

| Prix Jean Malaurie

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.festival-dieppe.fr|title=Prix Jean Malaurie 2020|publisher=Festival du film canadien de Dieppe|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Festival du film canadien de Dieppe

| 2020

| Prix Révélation : Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.festival-dieppe.fr|title=Prix Révélation : Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao 2020|publisher=Festival du film canadien de Dieppe|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Festival du film canadien de Dieppe

| 2020

| Prix de la Ville de Dieppe

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.festival-dieppe.fr|title=Prix de la Ville de Dieppe 2020|publisher=Festival du film canadien de Dieppe|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Festival du film canadien de Dieppe

| 2020

| Prix du Zonta Club

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.festival-dieppe.fr|title=Prix du Zonta Club 2020|publisher=Festival du film canadien de Dieppe|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Festival International du Film d’Aubagne

| 2020

| Prix du Meilleur Long métrage

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.aubagne-filmfest.fr|title=Prix du Meilleur Long métrage 2020|publisher=Festival International du Film d’Aubagne|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Festival International du Film d’Aubagne

| 2020

| Mention spéciale à Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.aubagne-filmfest.fr|title=Mention spéciale à Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao 2020|publisher=Festival International du Film d’Aubagne|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Festival international du film sur les droits humains, Genève

| 2020

| Mention spéciale Jury Fiction

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.fifdh.org|title=Mention spéciale Jury Fiction 2020|publisher=Festival international du film sur les droits humains, Genève|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Festival international du film sur les droits humains, Genève

| 2020

| Mention spéciale Jury des Jeunes

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.fifdh.org|title=Mention spéciale Jury des Jeunes 2020|publisher=Festival international du film sur les droits humains, Genève|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" rowspan=3 | Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma

| rowspan=3| 2020

| Prix Gilles-Carle du meilleur 1er ou 2e long métrage de fiction

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| rowspan=3| [https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1654288/kuessipan-film-long-metrage-gagnant-prix-laureats-laureates-rvqc-quebec-cinema "Les grands honneurs à Kuessipan, de Myriam Verreault, aux RVQC"]. Ici Radio-Canada, March 8, 2020.

Prix Jacques-Marcotte Meilleur scénario de long métrage de fiction

| Myriam Verreault, Naomi Fontaine

| {{won}}

Prix du jury en herbe Meilleur long métrage de fiction

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

scope="row" | Festival International du Premier Film d'Annonay

| 2020

| Prix spécial du jury

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.annonaypremierfilm.org|title=Prix spécial du jury 2020|publisher=Festival International du Premier Film d'Annonay|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Göteborg Film Festival

| 2020

| Mention spéciale, Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.giff.se|title=Mention spéciale, Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award 2020|publisher=Göteborg Film Festival|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Cinoche - Festival de film international de Baie-Comeau

| 2020

| Prix du Meilleur film canadien

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.festivalcinoche.com|title=Prix du Meilleur film canadien 2020|publisher=Cinoche - Festival de film international de Baie-Comeau|access-date=2021-12-31}}

scope="row" | Festival international du cinéma francophone en Acadie

| 2019

| Prix du Meilleur film canadien

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| Marie-Christine Rioux, [https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1400777/kuessipan-usahat-naomi-fontaine-myriam-verreault-innus "Kuessipan, sacré meilleur long métrage canadien dans un festival international en Acadie"]. Ici Radio-Canada Côte-Nord, November 21, 2019.

scope="row" | Vancouver International Film Festival

| 2019

| Special Mention, Best Canadian Emerging Director

| Myriam Verreault

| {{won}}

| Kelly Townsend, [https://playbackonline.ca/2019/10/09/the-body-remembers-wins-two-awards-in-viffs-bc-spotlight/ "‘The Body Remembers’ wins two awards in VIFF’s BC Spotlight"]. Playback, October 9, 2019.

scope="row" | Festival international du film francophone de Namur

| 2019

| Mention spéciale du jury

| Kuessipan

| {{won}}

| [https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2019/10/04/des-eloges-pour-le-film-kuessipan-dans-un-festival-international "Des éloges pour le film «Kuessipan» dans un festival international"]. TVA Nouvelles, October 4, 2019.

References

{{reflist}}