The Quebec Cinema and the Identity Question. The Confrontation between Tales of Hindrances and of Enchantment

This article presents an approach to interpreting the issue of identity in recent Quebec films, by showing how identity is mobilized by filmmakers. Two story structures have a fundamental influence on the imaginary world of Quebec films: a hegemonic story of deprivation, emptiness, & a thwarted existence; & a story of plurality, of a positive approach to ambivalence, a story of enchantment with being. The originality & richness of Quebec films lie precisely within this tension between the two stories that run throughout this cinematography, from the earliest films to the most recent productions. It is thus possible to put forward a few ideas concerning the links that are being created in Quebec between identity, politics, & temporal references. 3 Tables, 18 References. Adapted from the source document.