While sheltering in place The Franco-American Collection at the University of Southern Maine Lewiston Auburn College is offering free streaming access for 30 days only to Réveíl: Waking Up French. This film explores the struggle for cultural survival among the French-Canadian, Franco-American communities of New England. It reveals the importance of history and heritage and demonstrates how languages can be reacquired for personal and community renewal. The film will be available for 30 days beginning today, so don’t miss your chance to watch it!
A compelling documentary about language discrimination, and Franco-American and French Canadian history.
For 30 days this film is free for streaming on the University of Southern Maine website at this link here: https://video.maine.edu/media/Waking+up+French–%21+R%C3%A9ve%C3%ADl+-+Public/1_zb73lmqz?fbclid=IwAR19tMQDhEgIjvTq7icmZCsgn2jptcq8RqL8coXEckefWCwySlivIrgaqGY
Check the website www.wakingupfrench.com
Ben Levine is the producer and videographer who created this film.
This is a powerful documentary film that explores the struggle for cultural survival among the French-Canadian and the Franco-American communities in New England.
This is first and foremost a historic documentary. The film traces the French heritage beginning with immigration from the Canadian provinces of Quebec, and Acadia through persecution by Ku Klux Klan, and language loss, to cultural renaissance and heritage preservation. Through their determined loyalty to the French Catholic faith, language and cultural values, the French of New England continue to discover new ways of renewal and cultural diversity through heritage language reacquisition.
Réveil-Waking Up French is relevant to all of us who are descendents of immigrants, whether from the French heritage or any other ethnic group.
As the melting pot attitude and globalization threatens diversity and the heritage of so many cultures, Réveil explores the struggle for cultural survival in the very heart of New England. It reveals the importance of history and heritage understanding and demonstrates how languages can be reacquired for personal and community renewal that is truly inspiring.
Réveil is an educational resource for schools. It can be used for French/Francophone) studies, American Studies, Women’s Studies, Diversity and cultural identity), Linguistics (language loss), sociology, and cross-disciplinary studies, Immigration and more.
A tribute: “You’re telling the story of your language! It’s positive, powerful, and empowering; it incorporates a heritage and a huge amount of identity that is attached to the language” National Public Radio, “All things Considered”
A teacher’s guide to the film is available. It includes historical and cultural background overviews, bibliographies, web sites for further research, and topics and questions to guide use of the film in the classroom. Please see “Copies-Schools and Libraries” for ordering information. The Teacher’s Guide was prepared by by Dr. Eileen M. Angelini , Chair, Department of Modern Languages, Canisius College and winner of several prizes for excellence in teaching and promoting French Language and culture.
Check the website for more information and take advantage of watching the free stream on the USM website.
