La Traversée screening at the Cinema du Parc

In La Traversée, a young man departs from France in 1911 on the S.S. Pretorian, fueled by aspirations of a better future in Canada. Inspired by a letter he penned during his journey, the film follows his emotional and physical voyage across the Atlantic. Initially captivated by the ship's lively decks and expansive seascapes, he soon confronts the harsh realities of third-class travel—tight quarters, constant seasickness, and the challenges of rough seas. Nevertheless, moments of beauty, such as sightings of whales and icebergs, reignite his sense of wonder and remind him of the promise that lies ahead.  La Traversée will be screening at the Cinema du Parc of Montreal on May 10th from 5 PM to 7 PM.

As the ship nears the Canadian coast, the sight of Newfoundland’s fishing boats and Québec's riverside villages evokes anticipation for the new chapter awaiting him in Manitoba's prairies. On the train to his final destination, he is captivated by a young woman, shifting his thoughts from survival to possibility. Combining animation, archival photos, and French folk music, La Traversée—crafted by Noel Fenez and Joanna Simoens—brings a century-old letter to life. The film acts as both a personal tribute and a universal reflection on the immigrant experience, preserving a family legacy for future generations.

Noel Fenez, a Canadian filmmaker residing in Montreal, QC, hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He completed his education at l'Université de Saint-Boniface, where his final student film, "Hypoxia," debuted at the Montreal World Film Festival. By day, Noel works in marketing and advertising, while also pursuing personal projects in collaboration with other artists and designers. His latest film, created with Amber O'Reilly, titled "Filaments D'après-Vie" (Threads of Afterlife), has recently concluded its festival tour. He is now privileged to be working on a new animated short, "La Traversée."

Joanna Simoens, originally from Winnipeg, is a Canadian ethnomusicologist and musician based in Montreal, QC. She holds a Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology from the Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, where her research focused on the representation of Franco-Manitoban identity at Winnipeg's Festival du Voyageur. During the day, Joanna serves as a Labour Relations Officer at the Guilde des musiciens et musiciennes du Québec.