“Malarctic” Review: Disaster Mine

In MalardicDocumentary filmmaker Nicholas Paquette began his career The golden rule And care is overwhelming in more ways than one.

If you haven't seen it The golden ruleThe filmmaker described the displacement of Malardic houses due to the resumption of mining activities, no problem, Nicolas Paquette reminds us very timely from the start of his new documentary, presented in a few months at the Rendez-vous Quebec cinema. Before.

Again he inquired of the inhabitants, and tried in vain to obtain interviews with representatives of the Canadian Malardic Mine Company, or with the mayor. He walks the streets, past many closed businesses, for-rent signs, graffiti – “I'm hungry” – the gap in the mine and the artificial mountain mining waste that surrounds it. Poverty and crumbling social structure.

Photo courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada

There are also problems. Continuous explosions – two a day -, toxic clouds, notifications of non-compliance … Citizens complaining that the company does not respond. Government actions to set aside injunctions, judgments, court orders. Nicolas Paquet cites frightening statistics. Huge profits – billions -, cheap mining, tons of waste, tons of gold.

Photo courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada

Every image is terrifying and every testimony is revolting. And the whole thing is an indispensable work.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Malardic It will be screened in multiple theaters across the province from April 19. A list of cinemas can be found on the NFB website: events.onf.ca/