Antigone

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Québécois filmmaker Sophie Deraspe adapts the classic Greek tragedy as a timely commentary on the immigrant experience in contemporary Montreal.

Gripping, powerful, and timely, the latest from acclaimed Québécois writer-director Sophie Deraspe (The Wolves, The Amina Profile) loosely adapts Sophocles’ Greek tragedy, situating it in contemporary Montreal as a compassionate family drama that doesn’t hold back on its indictment of the current refugee and immigrant experience in North America.

Following the murder of their parents, Antigone, her sister Ismène, her brothers Étéocle and Polynice, and their grandmother Ménécée find refuge in Montreal. They live a quiet, modest life in a tiny apartment in a working-class neighbourhood. A straight-A student seemingly destined for greatness, Antigone (masterfully played by Nahéma Ricci in her first leading role) is the glue that holds the family together. Tragedy strikes when Étéocle is wrongfully gunned down by police during the arrest of Polynice, a small-time drug dealer. Motivated by her sense of duty and fuelled by the memory she cherishes of her dead parents, Antigone decides to jeopardize her own future to preserve that of her family.

Antigone acutely explores familial sacrifice, the burden of responsibility, and the nature of justice with exceptional depth and nuance. Although inspired by a story 2,500 years old, Deraspe’s film is a timely meditation, one that prompts serious reflection on immigrant life in ostensibly welcoming contemporary Canada.

RAVI SRINIVASAN

Thanks to REEL CANADA for supporting this screening.

Canada Goose Award for Best Canadian Feature Film, 2019 Toronto International Film Festival

Content advisory: violence, coarse language, mature themes