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The Intersection
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Filmmaker Name:
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Jessamine Irwin, Daniel Quintanilla
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Film Length:
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32 min
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Film Year:
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2021
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Duration:
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21-45 min
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Decade:
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2020s
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Language:
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in English, French, Lingala
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Subtitle Language:
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with English and French subtitles
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Region:
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North America
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Subject:
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Language
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The Intersection examines the distinct yet intersecting trajectories of French-speaking immigrants from both Canada and Francophone-African countries, as they converge in Lewiston, Maine. Through a focus on the lives and friendship between Cecile, a French-Canadian woman whose family came to the US to work in the local mills, part of an immigrant wave beginning in the 1840s, and Trésor, a Congolese man seeking asylum who is part of a recent wave of African immigrants, the film suggests the importance of language for identity and community. Cecile and Trésor build a bond around their common first language, French. After a lifetime of suppressing her French identity, Cecile regains pride in her origins, while the common language offers Trésor a means of building connections in his new home.
The filmmakers frame this story of friendship within a broader historical context, encouraging viewers to reflect on the history of immigration in Maine since the first European settlers arrived. In just over 30 minutes, the film manages to provide an overview of immigrant experiences, including histories of discrimination and oppression both past and present. This deeply American story touches on issues relevant to communities around the country and is a great film for classes in sociolinguistics, American history, immigration, Francophone studies and more.
“I strongly recommend this film to anyone seeking a better understanding of what Francophonie means...” – Olivier Favry, Cultural Attaché, French Consulate in Boston
“The Intersection is a heart-warming film that shows the deep bond formed through the bridge of a common language.” – Charlotte Cushman, educator
Selected Screenings & Awards
Audience Award for Best Short, Camden Int'l Film Festival, USA, 2021
Tourmaline Prize for Best Maine Film Short, Maine Int'l Film Festival, USA, 2022
Royal Anthropological Institute RAI Film Festival, UK, 2023
Independent Film Festival Boston, USA, 2022
FLOURISH Festival, Fredericton, NB, Canada, 2022
The Intersection (Le Carrefour)
Directed & Produced by
Jessamine Irwin & Daniel Quintanilla
Executive Producer
Julia Schulz
Featuring
Cecile Thornton
Trésor Mukendi
Cinematography, Editing & Motion GFX by
Advisors
Emmanuel Kayembe
Georges Budagu Makoko
Chelsea Ray
Ben Levine
Eli Kao
Sound Recordists
Sound Editor & Re-Recording Mixer
Additional Camera
Shuab Mahat
Natalie Baird
Omar Hassan
Also Featuring
Fleurie Mbula Muteba
Rachel Desgroseilliers
Denise Morin
Louis Philippe Gagné Iii
Gabriel Couture
Julienne Mushiya
Edho Mukendi
Ruben Mukendi
Josaphat Mushiya
Anne Moreau Burg
Camden Martin
Gail Lawrence
Mohamed Ibrahim
Nirvana Sulai
Danielle Faucher
Scott Vaillancourt
Patience Kasongo
Winston Antoine
Consultants
Mary Rice-Defosse
Manette Pottle
Fundraising
Clarissa Quintanilla
Julia Schulz
Jessamine Irwin
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