Sophie Bissonnette facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sophie Bissonnette
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| Born | September 18, 1956 |
| Occupation | Filmmaker |
| Known for | A Wives' Tale, L'amour... a quel prix?, Quel Numero? |
Sophie Bissonnette (born September 18, 1956) is a Canadian filmmaker who creates movies and documentaries. After she graduated from Queen's University, she started her film career in Montreal. She is known for making documentaries that explore social and political issues.
Many filmmakers in Quebec were talking about these topics. However, Sophie's films were special because they focused on women's experiences. She often told stories from the point of view of women in situations that were usually dominated by men.
Sophie has directed and written over 10 films. Her most famous works include A Wives' Tale (which means A Story of Women in French), L'amour... a quel prix?, and Quel Numero?. These films have won awards at festivals. She has also won personal awards for her work, like the Quebec Critics' prize for best film of the year.
Besides making films, Sophie has helped other filmmakers. She has been involved with groups like the Association des Réalisateurs et Réalisatrices de films du Québec Inc. (ARRFQ) and helped start the Montreal International Documentary Festival.
Contents
Early Life and Schooling
Sophie Bissonnette was born in Montreal, Quebec, on September 18, 1956. She grew up in Ottawa. For college, she went to Queen's University in Kingston. She studied film and sociology, which is the study of how people live in groups.
She earned her degree in 1978. After graduating, she moved back to Montreal. There, she co-directed her very first documentary film in 1980.
A Career in Filmmaking
When Sophie moved to Montreal, she started working in many roles, including as a researcher, producer, and director. In the 1980s, many filmmakers in Quebec wanted to make movies about social and political topics. Sophie was also interested in this theme.
Telling Women's Stories
What made Sophie's work different was her focus on women. She wanted to show the side of the story that wasn't always told. Her films explored the thoughts and challenges of women who were often behind the scenes of major events.
Her first documentary, Une Histoire de Femmes (A Wives' Tale), was made in 1980. The film was about the wives of miners who were on strike. The miners were protesting against a large company called INCO (now known as Vale Limited). The film showed the difficulties the wives faced, both with the company and in their own families. Sophie said she wanted to shine a light on the lives of working women and housewives.
She continued to explore women's perspectives in other films, such as Quel numero? and Des lumières dans la grande noirceur.
Supporting Other Filmmakers
It was sometimes hard for Sophie to get the money needed to make her films. Because of this, she became involved with groups that helped filmmakers. She worked with the Association des Réalisateurs et Réalisatrices de films du Québec Inc. (ARRFQ) to support the work of other women filmmakers.
She also helped start a film festival in Montreal. It is called Les Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal, which is a festival for documentary films.
Filmography
- 1980: A Wives' Tale (Une histoire de femmes)
- 1985: Quel Numero?
- 1988: L'amour... à quel prix ?
- 1991: Des lumières dans la grande noirceur
- 1992: Le plafond de verre
- 1996: 49, a Breath of Rage
- 1997: Près de nous
- 2001: Partition pour voix de femmes
- 2002: Madeleine Parent
- 2007: ... inc. Nos enfants sous influence
- 2012: Les dames aux caméras
Awards and Recognition
- 1980: Winner of Quebec Critics' prize for the year's best film, Une histoire de femmes.
- 1985: Nominated for the Quebec Critics' Best Feature Award for Quel Numero?
- 1992: Cinema Award from the Office of Social Communications for Des lumières dans la grande noirceur
- 1992: Price Martini Sequences for Des lumières dans la grande noirceur
- 1992: Honorable Mention at the San Francisco Golden Gate Awards for Des lumières dans la grande noirceur
- 1997: Video Award Intervention 1997 / Series (OCS) for 49 - a Breath of Rage
- 2002: Gemini Awards Finalist for "Best Documentary" for Partition pour voix de femmes
- 2008: Canada YWCA Advocacy Award for ... inc. Nos enfants sous influence
- 2008: UNICEF Prize at the Japan Contest Prize for ... inc. Nos enfants sous influence
- 2008: Finalist of the Beyond Borders Media Awards for ... inc. Nos enfants sous influence
