FIFA celebrates body diversity and the richness of language as part of the a special program at the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris

The International Festival of Films on Art (FIFA) is pleased to offer a special program at the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris, as part of two thematic evenings around dance and language, on Wednesday and Thursday, October 13 and 14. Catherine Bédard, curator of exhibitions and assistant director of this prestigious cultural and diplomatic outpost associated with the Embassy of Canada in France, and twice a FIFA jury member, has invited the Festival to screen six Canadian works – shown at the 39^th edition of FIFA – that celebrate body diversity and the wealth of linguistic geography.

One part of the program is composed of three documentaries dedicated to dance: the feature-length According to Movement – A Story in 10 Chapters by Béatriz Mediavilla, the short film Enracinée by Annie Leclair, and the dance video Navigation by Marlene Millar. The vigor of and love for language are the focus of the second part of the program, with the feature-length Je slame, tu slames by Jean Fugazza, and the short films Inuktitut Dialects in the 21^st century by Ulivia Uviluk and Louise Warren Fragments by Anne-Marie Tougas.

“FIFA is proud to be associated once again with the dynamism of the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris to highlight the best recent film productions celebrating art, diversity, and the richness of Canadian culture,” stated Philippe U. del Drago, executive and artistic director of the International Festival of Films on Art. ​“This latest collaboration is the result of our mutual commitment to fostering the visibility of relevant Canadian works and our shared desire to promote exceptional creators from all cultural fields and every generation in Canada and France.” 

“With the unique position that it occupies in the French and European cultural landscapes, the Canadian Cultural Centre is a place for multiple and diversified exchanges, engaged in the promotion of all art disciplines,” added Catherine Bédard, who is in charge of visual arts, films on art, art films, and animated films at the Canadian Cultural Centre. ​“It is this very cultural wealth, but on an even larger scale, that FIFA exemplifies in the film field. This makes our alliance very meaningful in this international festival, the only one of its kind in the world and the pride not only of our country but of all Canadian cultural sectors.”

According to Movement – A Story in 10 Chapters by Béatriz Mediavilla Canada | 2019 | 1 h 1 m 39 s French and Spanish Award for the Best Canadian Film | 39th FIFA This cinematographic voyage is a poetic and playful look at the beauty of ordinary movement and the great human choreography. Renowned French choreographer Thierry Thieû Niang went on tour in 2017, offering intergenerational workshops for non-dancers.

Enracinée by Annie Leclair Canada | 2020 | 7 m 15 s French Special mention — Award for the Best Canadian Short Film | 39th FIFA Artist Marie-Hélène Bellavance is recognized on the contemporary Canadian scene for her work in dance and visual arts. She shares the challenge that dance represents for her. She also sheds light on her journey to acceptance of her physical disability, having lost both her legs as a child. An inspiring and intimate account of one woman’s capacity to transform vulnerability into creative force.

Navigation by Marlene Millar Canada | 2020 | 13 m 30 s Without dialogue Award for the Best Canadian Short Film | 39th FIFA Shot on the west coast of Ireland, this sixth film from the Migration Dance Film Project uses the land itself to explore how we navigate uncharted territory. A powerful cinematic plot shaped with the nuanced dynamics, emotion and precision of percussive dance.

Je slame, tu slames by Jean Fugazza Canada | 2020 | 48 m French Throughout Quebec, a growing community is participating in poetry slam nights. In this episode, we meet 5 of Quebec’s best slam dancers while discovering how Quebec slam is about to win its battle for recognition.

Inuktitut Dialects in the 21st century by Ulivia Uviluk Canada | 2020 | 9 m 16 s English | Subtitles: French Looking for web-based resources to learn Inuktitut, Ulivia Uviluk exchanges with two young women of her generation who, like her, want to master their mother tongue. This original short film in its form shows that new technologies and social networks hold great promise for reconnecting with their traditional culture.

Louise Warren — Fragments by Anne-Marie Tougas Canada | 2020 | 5 m 05 s French Louise Warren – Fragments goes to the very heart of the poet’s experience: her material and the space she inhabits. This film is based on an unpublished excerpt by Louise Warren about subject matter and creation, written in 2019. The text, read by the artist off-camera, invites us to reflect.