Inspired by the Greek tragedy of the same name, award-winning writer/director Sophie Deraspe has created one of the most thematically textured films of the year. Antigone (Nahéma Ricci) is a quiet, scholarship-winning Lebanese teenage girl, one of four siblings who emigrated to Montreal with their grandmother a decade earlier. When her older brother is killed by police, and her surviving brother is imprisoned for assaulting the officer responsible, Antigone finds the courage and grit to fight against society, the police and the penal system, finding emotional support and love in unexpected quarters. Even when a swell of positive public opinion centers on the family’s circumstances, Antigone must ultimately live by her own code. Director Deraspe draws remarkable performances from her young cast (particularly Ricci) and tackles issues of immigration, poverty and social justice with a ferocity matched only by her title character.

Winner: Best Canadian Feature Film, Toronto

In competition for the FIPRESCI Prize

Writer/director Sophie Deraspe and co-producer Nadine Ellman are expected to be in attendance on January 3, 4, and 5.