Synopsis
On October 26 2012, a red dust covers the neighbourhood of Limoilou in Quebec city, where Véronique Lalande and her husband Louis Duchesne live with their one-year-old boy. Iron oxide, nickel, zinc, arsenic and other heavy metals fall on the districts close to the Port of Québec, which is home to the St. Lawrence Stevedoring, the largest nickel ferry in North America. Véronique Lalande calls, writes, speaks out her indignation; she spreads her desire for a healthy environment.
Will this simple citizen succeed in forcing a multinational to comply with the laws?
A word from Tënk
In Bras de Fer, Jonathan and Jean-Laurence Seaborn go directly to the heart of the environmental and economic conundrum that communities face (in this case Quebec City’s Limoilou neighbourhood), within a so called democracy. Despite the facts of disturbing health impacts, can residents defend themselves using the existing laws and their limited means, against big business and the governments that support and financially benefit from these same industries? Filmed over the course of numerous years, with trust, respect and honesty, Bras De Fer brings these larger questions into the backdrop, by centering and focusing on the personal realities and struggles of a couple. As the Arrimage du Saint-Laurent, the largest nickel transporter in North America continues to allow heavy metal dusts to fall into their neighbourhood, they inadvertently turn into activists and along with a few others rally the whole community, documenting that sometimes it only takes a few very committed people for change to happen. I consider this excellent activist documentary essential viewing for anyone concerned about democracy and the environment in Quebec today.
Amy Miller
Filmmaker and producer
