Gripping, powerful, and of-the-moment, Antigone loosely adapts Sophocles’ Greek tragedy and situates it in contemporary Montreal.
Following the murder of their parents, Antigone, her sister Ismène, her brothers Étéocle and Polynice, and their grandmother Ménécée find refuge in Montreal. They live a quiet modest life in a tiny apartment in a working-class neighbourhood. A straight-A student seemingly destined for greatness, Antigone is the glue that holds the family together. Tragedy strikes when Étéocle is wrongfully gunned down by police during the arrest of Polynice, a small-time drug dealer. Motivated by her sense of duty towards her family and fuelled by the memory she cherishes of her dead parents, Antigone decides to jeopardize her own future to preserve that of her family.
“Canada’s Oscar submission is an intelligent, moving reworking of Sophocles’ tragedy, electrified by a breakout turn from star Nahéma Ricci.” Variety
“The latest from critically acclaimed Québécois writer-director Sophie Deraspe, Antigone is a compassionate family drama that doesn’t hold back on its indictment of the current refugee and immigrant experience in North America.” TIFF Winner – Best Canadian Feature Film
109 minutes
