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
There's Still Tomorrow
A critical and box office sensation in Italy, Paola Cortellesi's triumphant directorial debut is the tale of a Roman housewife in 1946, who stands up against the routine sexist abuse she suffers. Funny, heartbreaking and inspiring.
La venue de l'avenir
Four cousins are tapped to investigate an abandoned house that is their joint inheritance. As they explore, they learn their story of their ancestor Adele (Suzanne Lindon) and her foray into Paris in the age of Impressionism.
One Battle After Another
PT Anderson's breathless satire is the best political action movie of the year, a defiantly anti-MAGA rallying cry featuring a six pack of crackerjack performances. They'll still be talking about this one 50 years from now.
