Man Who Chooses the Bush

197528 min 50 secFilm: Documentary

Direction: Tom Radford

Production: Peter Jones

For five or six months at a time, Frank Ladouceur lives alone, trapping muskrat in the vast, desolate wilderness of northern Alberta. His family last visited him there some 14 years ago, and Frank’s own visits to the family home in Fort Chipewyan are few and far between. This is the story of an independent Métis man who is remarkably determined and self-sufficient, and who is ceaselessly called to return to the bush. Early experiences at Holy Angels residential school are recounted by his daughter. A Christmas play at the local school is presented in Cree. After a family Christmas meal, the fiddle and guitar are taken out and the Red River Jig begins.

Subject categories


  • Fishing and Hunting Industries > Fur Industries and Trapping
  • Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations and Métis) > Fur Trades, Hunting and TrappingMétisPortraitsPrairiesResidential Schools

Credits


director
Tom Radford
producer
Peter Jones
photography
Tony Westman
sound
Richard Patton
editing
Shelah Reljic
sound editing
Stuart Copley
re-recording
Barry P. Jones
music
Frank Ladouceur
Modeste Ladouceur
Pete Ladouceur

Awards


  • Golden Sheaf Award for Best DocumentaryYorkton Film Festival
  • Golden Sheaf Award for Best CinematographyYorkton Film Festival
  • Golden Sheaf Award for Best Direction to Tom RadfordYorkton Film Festival
  • Golden Sheaf Award for Best Film of the FestivalYorkton Film Festival