The Necessities of Life

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

Cast

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

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