James Bay 1975: The Shock of Two Nations takes us back to the origins of two major revolutions: the rapid expansion of Hydro-Québec with the construction of the La Grande complex, and the awakening of the Indigenous nations of Northern Quebec. A clash of civilizations where two worldviews collide. Quebec dreams of taking control of its destiny by becoming an energy giant on the continent. Meanwhile, in the North, a new generation of young Cree and Inuit rise up to protect what they hold most dear: their land and their culture. Leaders and witnesses share their stories in this political thriller, which culminates in the signing of the James Bay Agreement in 1975.
Screenwriting and Directors
Myriam Berthelet, Mathieu Fournier et Mélanie Lameboy
Original Idea
Karine Dubois
Production
Marie-Pierre Corriveau, Karine Dubois, Ernest Webb and Catherine Bainbridge
Editing
Martin Gagnon
Genre
Documentary
Country
Canada
Orignal Version
French, English and Cree
Subtitles
French, English
Format
HD
Ratio
16:9
Duration
97 min
Sound
Stereo, 5.1
Year
2025
Next event
All events for this project
7 August 2026
Screening at Cinéma sous les étoiles
Centre de la nature de Cowansville
Projection suivie d'une discussion avec l'équipe
01
06
Awards and festivals
2025
Official Selection - CINEMANIA
2025
Special Mention from the Documentary Jury – CINEMANIA
2026
Official Selection - Vues sur mer
2026
Official Selection - Festival cinéma du monde Sherbrooke
2026
Official Selection - Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma
2026
Finalist Canadian Screen Awards - Best Feature Length Documentary
2026
Official Selection - Cinéma sous les étoiles
Credits
Screenwriting and Directors
Myriam Berthelet, Mathieu Fournier et Mélanie Lameboy
Original Idea
Karine Dubois
Production
Marie-Pierre Corriveau, Karine Dubois, Ernest Webb and Catherine Bainbridge
Editing
Martin Gagnon
Executive Producer
Marie-Pierre Corriveau, Karine Dubois, Ernest Webb, Catherine Bainbridge, Archita Ghosh and Daniel Morin
Research
Catherine Pelchat
Additional research
Mathieu Fournier and Mélanie Lameboy
Archive research
Catherine Pelchat, Mathieu Fournier, Mélanie Lameboy, Martin Gagnon
Cinematography
Van Ryoko and Maxime Pilon-Lalande
Colour Grading
Étienne Patry
Title and graphic design
Mathieu Lalumière
Sound Engineering
Jesse Dubé-Smith
Sound Mixing
Jean-Philippe Goyette
Sound Design
Jean-Olivier Bégin and Francis Renaud-Legault
Music
Jean-Olivier Bégin
James Bay 1975: The Shock of Two Nations was produced with the support of
