BEFORE TOMORROW: Q & A with co-director MARIE-HÉLÈNE COUSINEAU (Recorded December 2, 2009)

Summary: BEFORE TOMORROW: The lilting ballads of Kate and Anna McGarrigle set the tone for this tender, affecting tale of a small boy and his beloved grandmother, mid-19th century Inuits, living amid the harsh Arctic wilderness. “A profound, elemental and hauntingly beautiful period drama that makes an intimate story of endurance into a metaphor for an entire culture… The deceptively simple script…brilliantly reflects the cultural and spiritual values of the Inuits. In particular, the traditional stories Ningiuq tells her grandson take on a heart-rending resonance. Graced by unadorned performances from Madeline Ivalu (a featured player in THE FAST RUNNER and THE JOURNALS OF KNUD RASMUSSEN), her real-life grandson and the supporting cast… (The acting) feels appropriately timeless yet emotionally precise… Superior craft contributions emphasize tradition and authenticity, from the well-worn caribou and seal-skin clothing and intricate facial tattoos to elaborate period props.” — Alissa Simon, Variety. This podcast is a recording of the Q & A with co-director MARIE-HÉLÈNE COUSINEAU, recorded December 2, 2009, at Film Forum after a screening of the film.