Films catalogue

In production

The Blueberry Blues

Andres Livov / 80 min. / Canada / FRENCH

Synopsis

The cherished tradition of blueberry picking in northern Canada is slowly fading beneath the relentless march of modern farming practices and shifting demographics. As young people leave the region, seasonal farm workers from Mexico have become crucial to sustaining the harvest. Compounding the challenges, the constant threat of forest fires looms over the landscape like an ominous shadow. Yet, paradoxically, the wild blueberry emerges from the ashes of scorched woodlands, symbolizing both destruction and renewal. Amidst the nostalgia and adversity, music rises as a unifying force, bringing together villagers, seasonal workers, and farmers in a collective symphony of resilience and hope.

Cast & Crew

  • Screenplay : Andres Livov
  • Cinematographer : Louis Turcotte
  • Sound : René Portillo-Ruiz
  • Editor : René Roberge

Genre

Documentaire

Topics

Agriculture and local, Culture and society, Cultural diversity, Music, Quebec

Biography

Andrés Livov began his career at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, one of the world’s most esteemed opera houses. He obtained a fine arts degree from York University and then moved to Montreal in 2008. Throughout his career, he has focused on documentaries that offer a dignified portrayal of the people he encounters. He has produced and directed several short films and two feature-length documentaries (A Place Called Los Pereyra, Language is a Love Story), which have been shown in cinemas and festivals worldwide. He has also taken part in the Berlinale Talents and EFM Toolbox programmes. His latest feature, The Blueberry Blues, is an ode to the unifying power of storytelling and music, and a celebration of resilience.


Director's statement

The Blueberry Blues is a creative and author-driven documentary. Set against the backdrop of a single summer, the film weaves together music, characters, emotions, and an abundance of wild berries. Envision the story as a multifaceted diamond, where the film's title encapsulates four fundamental pillars. The term "blues" embodies both a sense of melancholy and a musical style, while "blueberries" represents the small fruit and the nickname for the inhabitants of Lac-Saint-Jean. This layered perspective provides a fresh lens through which the documentary explores universal themes such as hope, resilience, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. As crates overflow with fruit, inhibitions fade, creating space for profound personal revelations. The Blueberry Blues delves into the challenges that everyday people face and the tough decisions they must make. It highlights the strength, wisdom, and empathy found in seemingly insignificant or challenging situations, encouraging us to reconsider our surroundings and reflect on what truly matters to us.

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