In 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
Directed by Benoît Pilon
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TrailerCe qu'il faut pour vivre (The Necessities of Life) Trailer | MoMA Film
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Cast
Natar Ungalaaq
Tiivii
Éveline Gélinas
Carole
Paul-André Brasseur
Kaki
Louise Marleau
Soeur Luce
Guy Thauvette
Dr. Montpetit
Antoine Bertrand
Roger
Vincent-Guillaume Otis
Joseph
Denis Bernard
Père Millaire
Luc Proulx
L'horloger
Miali Buscemi
Qupanuaq
Ann-Sophie Archer
Infirmière de jour
Alexandre Thériault
Patient jaloux
Frédérick Bouffard
Patient agonisant
Caroline Tanguay
Infirmière de nuit
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