Benoit Pilon, considered one of Canada’s top young filmmakers, will attend a screening of his feature film The Necessities of Life (Ce qu’il faut pour vivre), at the Plaster Student Union theater on Friday, Feb. 24 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Parking is available in Bear Park North, with regular BearLine shuttles going to Plaster Student Union, or Lot 24 near National and Grand Ave. The screening will start at 7:00 p.m. Following the screening, Pilon will answer questions from the public. Pilon will also participate in master class sessions for students on Feb. 23-24.

The Necessities of Life tells the story of an Inuit hunter, Tivii (Natar Ungalaaq), who contracts tuberculosis during a massive epidemic in the 1950s, one that forced many Inuit to seek treatment in cities. Relocated by the government to a sanatorium in Quebec, Tivii suffers from culture shock and gradually becomes despondent. When he befriends a young orphan boy named Kaki, he begins to rediscover his energy and pride. The Necessities of Life has won several awards, including Special Grand Prize of the Jury at the 2008 Montreal World Film Festival, Best Achievement in Directing at the 2008 Genie Awards, and Best Picture at the Jutra Awards in 2009.

This event in the master filmmaker series is sponsored by the departments of media, journalism and film and modern and classical languages. The Quebec government office in Chicago has provided additional support. You may contact Mark Biggs, department head of media, journalism and film, at MarkBiggs@missouristate.edu or (417) 836-5218 for more information.

Download the event flyer from media, journalism and film.

Video of Benoit Pilon and Natar Ungalaaq on Canadian channel QTV is embedded below. Quebec’s government portal has also posted a news release about the visit.