Madrid, New Mexico, population 276. Here, in this deserted mining town, 29-year-old Caiti Lord works at a bar to make ends meet, hosts a radio show on the side, and faces the existential ennui of a struggling singer-songwriter. An engaging, tender documentary of a talented artist whose childhood aspirations seem to have led nowhere, Caiti Blues is an intimate portrait of a woman at a crossroads in her life. An insightful examination of small town America, where there is little economic viability and the future is uncertain, this is a poignant piece, punctuated by moments of incandescent joy, and filled with incredible songs. Director Justine Harbonnier creates a beautifully observed film, and through impressive cinematography and camera work captures the quiet rhythms of the eccentric mining town. Winner of the DCG Special Jury Prize at Hot Docs.
Series Media Partner
Canada/France
2023
Portraits
English
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits
Executive Producer
Riita Djime
Producer
Nellie Carrier, Julie Paratian
Screenwriter
Justine Harbonnier
Cinematography
Lena Mill-Reuillard, Justine Harbonnier
Editor
Xi Feng, Maxime Faure
Director
Justine Harbonnier
Justine Harbonnier was born in France and grew up in Nantes. After completing a master’s in comparative literature at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), she began making short independent films. Her most recent short, Andrew Keegan is Moving, won the GREC/France TV “Une Minute” award. Harbonnier’s first feature-length film, Caiti Blues, co-produced by Sister Productions (France) and Cinquième Maison (Québec), was selected for Visions du Réel, Hot Docs and ACID Cannes. A documentary feature, LA Simulation, is currently in development with French co-producers Les 48e Rugissants and Special Touch Studios.
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Vivaldi and Me
Venice, 1716. Composer Antonio Vivaldi teaches at an orphanage for abandoned girls, and establishes a deep rapport with violinist Cecelia — but their collaboration is threatened by her impending arranged marriage.
Rear Window
James Stewart is the man who sees too much. "Jeff" Jeffries is a sports photographer waylaid by a broken leg, doomed to spend the summer in a wheelchair in his New York apartment. That's how he comes to witness a murder in the dead of night (or does he?).
Rose of Nevada
This disconcerting film from the director of Bait and Enys Men feels like a message from another era: two men sign on to a Cornish fishing trawler, but when they return to port they are welcomed into the community 30 years before they left...
To Die For
Buck Henry (The Graduate) wrote this acidic black comedy about a ruthless weather girl on the make (Nicole Kidman in her breakout role). A young Joaquin Phoenix is the dim teen she seduces on her way to achieving stardom.
Camp
Reeling from two devastating tragedies, Emily (Zola Grimmer) takes refuge at a summer camp for troubled youth, where she has been offered a position as counsellor. She finds friendship, but also something more unexpected, something truly troubling...
