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Synopsis
In 1952, an Inuit hunter named Tivii with tuberculosis leaves his northern home and family to go recuperate at a sanatorium in Quebec City. Uprooted, far from his loved ones, unable to speak French and faced with a completely alien world, he becomes despondent. When he refuses to eat and expresses a wish to die, his nurse, Carole, comes to the realization that Tivii's illness is not the most serious threat to his well-being. She arranges to have a young orphan, Kaki, transferred to the institution. The boy is also sick, but has experience with both worlds and speaks both languages. By sharing his culture with Kaki and opening it up to others, Tivii rediscovers his pride and energy. Ultimately he also rediscovers hope through a plan to adopt Kaki, bring him home and make him part of his family
Title | The Necessities of Life |
Companies | Téléfilm Canada, Astral Media, Société Radio-Canada, Super Écran, APTN, ACPAV, SODEC |
Countries | Canada |
Keywords | sanatorium, inuit, tuberculosis, sickness |

Natar Ungalaaq
Tiivii
Éveline Gélinas
CarolePaul-André Brasseur
Kaki
Louise Marleau
Soeur Luce
Guy Thauvette
Dr. Montpetit
Antoine Bertrand
Roger
Vincent-Guillaume Otis
Joseph
Denis Bernard
Père Millaire
Luc Proulx
L'horlogerMiali Buscemi
QupanuaqAnn-Sophie Archer
Infirmière de jourAlexandre Thériault
Patient jaloux
Frédérick Bouffard
Patient agonisantCaroline Tanguay
Infirmière de nuit
Jacques-Henri Gagnon
L'archevêqueSerge Bonin
L'aumônierGuillaume Saladin
Interprète blancPierre-Antoine Simard-Lafond
Aide-infirmierStéphane-Antoine Comtois
Membre d'équipage
Élisapie
Mère inuk maladeSylvain Brosseau
Infirmier-chauffeurAnnie Neevee Pitsiulak
Fille de Tiivii (9 ans)Annie S. Kootoo
Fille de Tiivii (5 ans)Patrick Brown
Patient mourantJocelyn Pelletier
Patient salle commune
Nicola-Frank Vachon
Patient salle communeJean-Claude Godbout
Patient salle commune
Jean-Alexandre Létourneau
Patient salle communeAndré Duval
BarbierChristian Morin
PréposéCorinne Germain
Religieuse au chevet