On March 18, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada and viceregal patron of REEL CANADA, invited us to Rideau Hall to present special screenings for two audiences of new Canadians, featuring the films Peace by Chocolate and Ru.
EVENT DETAILS
In this special sneak preview of National Canadian Film Day, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada welcomed new Canadians to Rideau Hall for an unforgettable evening.
The event involved two simultaneous film screenings for newcomers to Canada in both English and French.
The English-language screening featured the uplifting Peace by Chocolate, and a discussion with Tareq Hadhad, the real-life entrepreneur who inspired the film.
The French-language screening showcased the moving drama Ru, and a conversation with director Charles-Olivier Michaud and Kim Thúy, author of the Governor General award-winning novel on which the film is based.
In both Q&As, the guests led an emotional conversation about the hardships and joys of finding a new life in Canada. The screenings were followed by a reception hosted by Her Excellency, and an opportunity for the new Canadians to meet the special guests and to share stories of their own journey to Canada.
This moving and inspiring event was not only a special preview of National Canadian Film Day, it was a perfect demonstration of the unifying power of sharing Canadian stories, and a reminder of why we present this festival every year.
To see highlights from this incredible event, browse through the gallery below:
