Thursday, march 19 / 6:30 pm / Ottawa Art Gallery

Program: The Punk of Natashquan, Meteors

Feature presentation \

Between endless cycles of low-wage work in construction and fast food, there is little prospect of escape for twentysomething best friends Mika and Dan. Trapped in a drab, desolate small town in eastern France, their lives change forever after a reckless late-night escapade involving an abducted cat and a car chase. Their antics results in court-mandated lifestyle changes before their trial takes place in six months or else face prison time. While Mika dedicates himself to reform his life, his dearest friend Dan struggles. Both working at a nuclear waste facility for their dubious friend, Tony, they must confront uncertain futures, together or apart. Compelling in its refusal to romanticize or neatly resolve the predicaments of its main characters, this impressive film is a poignant and tough-minded drama of struggle and, maybe just maybe, redemption. Meteors had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it earned critical praise for its unflinching portrayal of marginalized youth. It also just received a César Award nomination in 2026, with Idir Azougli earning a nod for Best Promising Male Actor for his compelling performance as Dan.

Michael O’Keefe, Tom McSorley

Short film \

The Punk of Natashquan

2025 / 20 minutes / Quebec
Director: Nicolas Lachapelle
Language: French
Subtitles: English

Forty years after the mysterious disappearance of an enigmatic figure known as “The Punk of Natashquan”, a remote Quebec community reflects on his fleeting yet unforgettable presence.