AVANT LES RUES

Shawnouk kills a man during an armed robbery. After fleeing into the forest, he returns to his community and seeks redemption through traditional rituals. Avant les rues juxtaposes dreary modern life and a reconnection with aboriginal culture and its traditions, a reconnection embodied by the actors. In this first feature film made in the Atikamekw language, the cast is almost entirely non-professional and living in their native community. The story is set in Manawan, at a time when the neighbouring Atikamekw village, Wemotaci, is threatened by forest fires. Avant les rues is the first feature film by Chloé Leriche. It was made in collaboration with Quebec’s three Atikamekw communities and their leaders and activists.