Ciné Club: Ru by Charles-Olivier Michaud

Structured like the novel, the film moves fluidly between past and present: harrowing scenes of escape by boat and life in refugee camps are juxtaposed with the snowy landscapes of Quebec, where Tinh must learn a new language, navigate cultural differences, and rediscover herself in an unfamiliar world. The result is an intimate portrait of migration, identity, and the strength of human connection.

Director Charles-Olivier Michaud, known for his visually driven and contemplative style, brings Kim Thúy’s lyrical prose to the screen with sensitivity and restraint. Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023, Ru received multiple Canadian Screen Award nominations and has been widely praised for its powerful performances and its poignant depiction of the immigrant experience in Quebec.

Following the screening, MIT Professor Aliko Songolo will lead a discussion drawing on his research on Francophone cinema. He will offer historical and cultural context on the representation of the refugee narratives, while opening a broader conversation on Quebec cinema, Kim Thúy’s literary journey, and the ways in which Ru translates personal memory and migration into film.
The evening will conclude with a wine reception, offering time to continue the conversation with fellow cinephiles.

Movie in French and Vietnamese with English subtitles.
The Q&A that will follow the screening will be in French and English.
https://frenchlibrary.org/events/ru-charles-olivier-michaud/

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