The Necessities of Life
2008In 1952, an Inuit hunter named Tivii with tuberculosis leaves his northern home and family to go recuperate at a sanatorium in Quebec City. Uprooted, far from his loved ones, unable to speak French and faced with a completely alien world, he becomes despondent. When he refuses to eat and expresses a wish to die, his nurse, Carole, comes to the realization that Tivii's illness is not the most serious threat to his well-being. She arranges to have a young orphan, Kaki, transferred to the institution. The boy is also sick, but has experience with both worlds and speaks both languages. By sharing his culture with Kaki and opening it up to others, Tivii rediscovers his pride and energy. Ultimately he also rediscovers hope through a plan to adopt Kaki, bring him home and make him part of his family
Acted in
Natar Ungalaaq
as Tiivii
Éveline Gélinas
as Carole
Paul-André Brasseur
as Kaki
Louise Marleau
as Soeur Luce
Guy Thauvette
as Dr. Montpetit
Antoine Bertrand
as Roger
Vincent-Guillaume Otis
as Joseph
Denis Bernard
as Père Millaire
Luc Proulx
as L'horloger
Miali Buscemi
as Qupanuaq
Ann-Sophie Archer
as Infirmière de jour
Alexandre Thériault
as Patient jaloux
Frédérick Bouffard
as Patient agonisant
Caroline Tanguay
as Infirmière de nuit
Jacques-Henri Gagnon
as L'archevêque
Serge Bonin
as L'aumônier
Guillaume Saladin
as Interprète blanc
Pierre-Antoine Simard-Lafond
as Aide-infirmier
Stéphane-Antoine Comtois
as Membre d'équipage
Élisapie
as Mère inuk malade
Sylvain Brosseau
as Infirmier-chauffeur
Annie Neevee Pitsiulak
as Fille de Tiivii (9 ans)
Annie S. Kootoo
as Fille de Tiivii (5 ans)
Patrick Brown
as Patient mourant
Jocelyn Pelletier
as Patient salle commune
Nicola-Frank Vachon
as Patient salle commune
Jean-Claude Godbout
as Patient salle commune
Jean-Alexandre Létourneau
as Patient salle commune
André Duval
as Barbier
Christian Morin
as Préposé
Corinne Germain
as Religieuse au chevet
Jean-René Moisan
as Stagiaire
Martin Perreault
as Stagiaire
Josée-Gabrielle Labar
as Bénévole
Aline Bouchard
as Bénévole
Michael Buscemi
as Bébé inuk
Karina Luzia Desmarais
as Infirmière
Amira Cheriet
as Infirmière
Suzann Méthot
as Infirmière
Jod Léveillé-Bernard
as Patient voisin
Steeve Gagné
as Infirmier costaud
Maxime Allen
as Jeune prêtre
Serge Thibodeau
as Fermier
Gilbert Fontaine
as Technicien radiologiste
Gilbert Marcoux
as Brancardier
Danielle Martel
as Soeur
Pascale Lauzière
as Soeur
Jeannie Kownirk
as Mère