Kuessipan (2019)
A quietly powerful Canadian drama about two Innu friends whose shared world begins to fracture as adulthood pulls them in different directions.
Kuessipan - Movie Information
- Original Title: Kuessipan
- Release Year: 2019
- Directed by: Myriam Verreault
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 57m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: Cree, French
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 4, 2019 (Canada), July 7, 2021 (France - U)
- Alternative Titles: A világ mögött (HU), Hlas našich předků (CZ), La fille au ventre rond (CH), La fille au ventre rond (BE)
- Production Companies: Max Films
- Production Countries: Canada
Kuessipan - Plot
Two childhood friends from the same Quebec Innu community begin to realize that they face very different futures.
Kuessipan - Trailer
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Kuessipan - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Myriam Verreault
Main Cast
- Sharon Ishpatao Fontaine
- Yamie Grégoire
- Étienne Galloy
- Cédrick Ambroise
- Caroline Vachon
- Mike Innu Papu Mckenzie
- Douglas Grégoire
- Anniss Desterres
- Roselyn Fontaine
- Ariel Fontaine St-Onge
Writers
- Myriam Verreault
- Naomi Fontaine
Producers
- Félize Frappier
Kuessipan - FAQs
What is Kuessipan about?
Kuessipan follows Mikuan and Shaniss, two inseparable friends growing up in a Quebec Innu community. As they reach adulthood, their lives begin pulling in opposite directions — one dreams of a world beyond the reserve, while the other stays rooted in family and tradition. It's a tender, honest portrait of friendship, identity, and belonging.
Is Kuessipan based on a true story or book?
Yes! Kuessipan is adapted from the acclaimed 2011 novel of the same name by Innu author Naomi Fontaine, who also co-wrote the screenplay. The book drew from Fontaine's own experience growing up in the Innu community of Uashat, giving the film a deeply personal and authentic foundation.
Who are the lead actors in Kuessipan?
The film stars Sharon Ishpatao Fontaine as Mikuan and Yamie Grégoire as Shaniss, two non-professional Innu actresses whose chemistry anchors the entire story. Étienne Galloy, Cédrick Ambroise, and Caroline Vachon round out the principal cast in this deeply community-rooted production.
Where can you stream Kuessipan?
You can watch Kuessipan on Amazon Prime Video, including with Amazon Prime Video with Ads. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, making it easy to catch this acclaimed Canadian drama from the comfort of home.
What languages is Kuessipan spoken in?
Kuessipan is spoken in both French and Cree (Innu-aimun), reflecting the bilingual reality of the Innu community at the heart of the story. This linguistic authenticity is one of the film's most striking and culturally significant qualities, giving it a rare and immersive sense of place.
How long is Kuessipan?
Kuessipan runs for 1 hour and 57 minutes (117 minutes). It's a leisurely, immersive pace that gives the film room to breathe and lets the friendship between its two central characters develop with real emotional depth and authenticity.
Did Kuessipan win any awards?
Kuessipan earned strong recognition on the Canadian awards circuit. It won the Claude Jutra Award for Best First Feature Film at the Canadian Screen Awards and received multiple nominations, celebrating both Myriam Verreault's direction and the film's groundbreaking representation of Innu culture on screen.
What are films similar to Kuessipan?
If Kuessipan resonated with you, you might enjoy Ghost World (2001), Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005), Matthias & Maxime (2019), or Mon oncle Antoine (1971). For female friendship stories with a similar emotional tone, Now and Then (1995) and Boys on the Side (1995) are also worth exploring.
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