The National Film Board of Canada was greatly saddened to learn of the death of Yolande Simard Perrault, who passed away in Montreal on July 4 at the age of 91. An archeologist by training who was passionate about botany, Yolande was the wife of filmmaker Pierre Perrault (1927-1999).
It was Yolande who instilled in her husband a profound love of her native region, Charlevoix, which ultimately led to a groundbreaking event in Quebec documentary filmmaking-Perrault would later shoot his masterpiece there, the unforgettable Pour la suite du monde, together with Michel Brault and Marcel Carrière.
"Yolande Simard Perrault was a radiant and generous woman, an inveterate dreamer and a great scholar. Far from staying in her husband's shadow, she helped build a people's collective memory, particularly by introducing him to the vernacular of her region and to the issue of Quebec identity. Her influence on his work is clear," said Claude Joli-Coeur, Government Film Commissioner and Chairperson of the NFB.
Ms. Simard Perrault is the subject of Nadine Beaudet and Danic Champoux's new documentary, Daughter of the Crater, a co-production between Les vues du fleuve and the NFB that will open in theatres in September. The film paints a portrait of a bold, determined woman who sees herself as the child of the earthshaking event that created the Charlevoix crater. She lyrically tells the story of the landscape and reveals the splendours of this corner of the country. Through letters and photos, the film centres on the unique journey of a modern woman who was ahead of her time, a woman who found freedom early in life and valued knowledge above all else.
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The NFB is Canada's public producer of award-winning creative documentaries, auteur animation, interactive stories and participatory experiences. NFB producers are embedded in communities across the country, from St. John's to Vancouver, working with talented creators on innovative and socially relevant projects. The NFB is a leader in gender equity in film and digital media production, and is working to strengthen Indigenous-led production, guided by the recommendations of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission. NFB productions have won over 7,000 awards, including 24 Canadian Screen Awards, 21 Webbys, 12 Oscars and more than 100 Genies. To access NFB works, visit NFB.ca or download its apps for mobile devices.
Quotes
"Yolande Simard Perrault was a radiant and generous woman, an inveterate dreamer and a great scholar. Far from staying in her husband's shadow, she helped build a people's collective memory, particularly by introducing him to the vernacular of her region and to the issue of Quebec identity. Her influence on his work is clear," said Claude Joli-Coeur, Government Film Commissioner and Chairperson of the NFB.
