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ROGER PARENT’S NFB FEATURE DOC HAS ITS WORLD PREMIERE OCTOBER 9 IN SHERBROOKE AND BROOKS, WHERE THE FILM WAS SHOT. From Sherbrooke to Brooks tells the story of the little-known Quebec-Alberta migration corridor travelled by French-speaking African refugees.

PRESS RELEASE
22/09/2016

SherbrookeBrooks

September 22, 2016 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

Roger Parent’s debut feature-length documentary, From Sherbrooke to Brooks, produced at the NFB’s Canadian Francophonie Studio by Dominic Desjardins, will have its world premiere on Sunday, October 9, in both of the cities in which the film was shot: in Sherbrooke, Quebec, in its original French version, as the closing screening of the Semaine sherbrookoise des rencontres interculturelles, and in Brooks, Alberta, in its original French version with English subtitles, at the Griffin Park Theatre (see details below). Born of Parent and his crew’s patient filmmaking process, this compassionate and respectful film gives audiences a unique look at several individuals whose touching experiences, in life and as immigrants, cannot be ignored. The film will be presented to the two communities that feature prominently in it, with the director attending the premiere in Brooks and the producer on hand at the Sherbrooke premiere. Both screenings will be followed by a discussion.

From Sherbrooke to Brooks tells the story of the migration corridor between Quebec and Alberta travelled by French-speaking African refugees, trapped between the fragility of their dreams and the harsh constraints of reality. The film sheds light on the lives of these little-known first-generation immigrants, giving a voice and a face to an overlooked group of people. At a time when large numbers of refugees are coming to Canada and beginning the process of adapting to life in this country, these extremely relevant stories offer a valuable means of helping Canadians attain a better understanding of immigrants’ past experiences and improving communication between all groups.

About the film

Produced at the NFB’s Canadian Francophonie Studio by Dominic Desjardins, with the collaboration of UNIS TV

They come primarily from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and some have transited through refugee camps in Uganda and Tanzania. Most of these French-speaking Africans arrived in Quebec in the early 2000s and settled in Sherbrooke, in the Eastern Townships region. Unable to find work there, many of them have since left to move out West. Over time, a migration corridor has been carved out between Sherbrooke and the town of Brooks, Alberta, where a pan-Canadian welcome network has been created. Interlacing several personal stories, From Sherbrooke to Brooks shows the resilience of these exiles. With news stories dominated by images of thousands of refugees fleeing war and poverty, the documentary takes stock of the work that’s yet to be done to successfully welcome and integrate those who will be contributing to tomorrow’s world.

The protagonists

Désiré Kiana
Executive Secretary, Francophone Association of Brooks
Country of origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Lives in Brooks, Alberta

Angèle Juma
Mother
Country of origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Lives in Sherbrooke, Quebec

Éstela Kasaba
Student
Country of origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Lives in Brooks, Alberta

Jean Mwembo Kazadi
Employee at the JBS Food meat-packing plant
Country of origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Lives in Brooks, Alberta

Marie-Claude
Seasonal field worker; previously studied hotel management
Country of origin: Cameroon
Lives in Sherbrooke, Quebec

Félicia
Agricultural worker
Country of origin: Togo
Lives in Sherbrooke, Quebec

Koffi
Agricultural worker
Country of origin: Togo
Lives in Sherbrooke, Quebec

FILM SCREENINGS

WORLD PREMIERE OCTOBER 9

In Sherbrooke
Closing screening of the Semaine sherbrookoise des rencontres interculturelles (September 28‒October 9)
Original French version
2 p.m., Salle du Parvis, 987 rue du Conseil
Screening followed by a discussion with producer Dominic Desjardins.

In Brooks
2 p.m., Griffin Park Theatre, 805 4 Ave W
Original French version with English subtitles
Screening followed by a discussion with filmmaker Roger Parent.

DVD

On sale as of October 9 at NFB.ca

Television

Broadcast on UNIS TV, November 20, 8 p.m., original French version

Online at NFB.ca

Available for free for 48 hours starting November 21 at 11 p.m.

About the filmmaker

  • Originally from Western Canada, Roger Parent studied literature and theatre at Université Laval. His interest in cultural diversity and communication led him to work as a journalist for Radio-Canada. Following his theatrical training in Paris, he taught and was a research professor at the University of Alberta, exploring the artistic and cultural practices of marginalized immigrant communities. He subsequently directed a bilingual documentary series on interculturalism that is currently used as an educational resource both here and abroad. His recent foray into film resulted in his first feature, From Sherbrooke to Brooks, produced with the NFB, which deals with the challenges newcomers of African descent face while integrating into Canada.

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Associated Links

Canadian Francophonie Studio
Semaine sherbrookoise des rencontres interculturelles
UNIS TV

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  • About the NFB

    Founded in 1939, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is a one-of-a-kind producer, co-producer and distributor of distinctive, engaging, relevant and innovative documentary and animated films. As a talent incubator, it is one of the world’s leading creative centres. The NFB has enabled Canadians to tell and hear each other’s stories for over eight decades, and its films are a reliable and accessible educational resource. The NFB is also recognized around the world for its expertise in preservation and conservation, and for its rich and vibrant collection of works, which form a pillar of Canada’s cultural heritage. To date, the NFB has produced more than 14,000 works, 7,000 of which can be streamed free of charge at nfb.ca. The NFB and its productions and co-productions have earned over 7,000 awards, including 11 Oscars and an Honorary Academy Award for overall excellence in cinema.