A CinImage Productions/NFB co-production about renowned author David Adams Richards . Quebec premiere of Monique LeBlanc’s feature film The Geographies of DAR at FIFA 2024.

February 28, 2024 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

The NFB is back at the International Festival of Films on Art (FIFA) with the Quebec premiere of The Geographies of DAR, Monique LeBlanc’s evocative and captivating portrait of renowned New Brunswick author David Adams Richards. Co-produced with CinImage Productions, the feature film probes the profound connection between the writer’s personal experiences and the harsh-yet-beautiful landscapes of Miramichi, the eastern Canada region that shaped his storytelling. The FIFA presentation will mark the film’s first screening with French subtitles. LeBlanc will be returning to FIFA again, after her moving and lyrical Higher Than Flames Will Go had its world premiere there in 2020. The 42nd FIFA takes place from March 14 to 24 at venues in Montreal and Quebec City, as well as online on ARTS.FILM from March 22 to 31.

In 2023, The Geographies of DAR screened at the AfterWords Literary Festival in Halifax and at Fredericton’s Silver Wave Film Festival, where it won the award for Best Documentary Feature. In 2024, it was shown at the Belleville Downtown DocFest. After FIFA, it will be screening throughout the Atlantic region in April before launching online on nfb.ca at a later date.

Quote

“David Adams Richards is a formidable writer whose contribution to Canadian literature we, sadly enough, may only truly appreciate once he’s gone. He is a generous and brilliant man whose unwavering belief in the greatness of the human soul is truly admirable, especially in these tumultuous times.” — Monique LeBlanc, filmmaker

What the media are saying

“The visuals are stunning…. A deeply moving film.” — Sylvie Mousseau, Acadie Nouvelle

“It’s an introspection…. We truly enter into the soul of this man. It’s achingly poetic. We feel the beauty of this immense solitude, this rural isolation. Well done!” — Jimena Vergara, ICI Radio-Canada Acadie

About the film

The Geographies of DAR by Monique LeBlanc (75 min)
Produced by Monique LeBlanc for CinImage Productions and Christine Aubé and Rohan Fernando for the NFB
Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/the-geographies-of-dar

The Geographies of DAR is a captivating film that explores the life and literary works of David Adams Richards. Through stunning visuals, insightful interviews and excerpts from his writings, the film uncovers the profound connection between Richards and Miramichi. Richards opens up about his childhood, his struggles and demons, and his unwavering belief in God, providing candid and perceptive insights into cruelty, love, faith and the human experience. The film is an elegy to the joys, suffering, mercies and beauty of life, celebrating the indomitable spirit and courage of this extraordinary New Brunswick writer.

About the filmmaker

Acadian New Brunswick filmmaker Monique LeBlanc’s credits include collaborations with the NFB, CBC, Bravo, the History Channel and the Movie Network. Her adaptation of Louise Dupré’s acclaimed book of poetry, Higher Than Flames Will Go (2020), stands as a cinematic tour de force. The Geographies of DAR is her fourth feature documentary and fifth collaboration with the NFB.

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