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Caiti Blues

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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

Director
Credits
Country of Origin

Canada/France

Year

2023

Series

Portraits

Language

English

Film Contact
Links
18+
84 min
Art, Music & Photography Documentary Women Directors

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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 headshot

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.

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