The Franco-American Collection at the University of Southern Maine plans to host an in-person and online screening of the documentary “Le Grand Jack” (Jack Kerouac’s Road: A Franco-American Odyssey) from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 6, at 51 Westminster St., in Lewiston.
The event is followed by a question-and-answer period with the filmmaker, Herménégilde Chiasson.
Chiasson was born in New Brunswick, Canada in 1946, and is an Acadian poet, playwright and filmmaker. He also served as the lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick between 2003 and 2009, according to a news release from the college.
Chiasson holds many titles and memberships, including: Officier de l’Ordre du Canada, chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de la France, member of the Société royale du Canada, de l’Ordre du Nouveau-Brunswick and de l’Ordre des francophones d’Amérique, and is considered the “father of Acadian modernity.”
The event, presented by the Québec Delegation in Boston, will also include a presentation of the Franco-Route, an initiative championed by the Delegation, a presentation (on video) from the mayors of St-Pacome and St-Hubert, the villages Jack Kerouac’s parents came from, a showing of the movie (subtitled in English) and the question-and-answer period, moderated by Marie-Josée Duquette of the Delegation.
There is no fee for the programs. They are made possible by the sponsorship of the Consulate General of Canada in Boston, Québec Delegation in Boston, Centre de la Francophonie des Ameriques, Severin Beliveau and Paul Dube on behalf of the Forum Francophone des Affaires, Androscoggin Home Health & Hospice, Country Kitchen, Pinette Dillingham & Lynch, The Albert Lepage Foundation, Regis & Carolyn Lepage, Doris & John Bonneau, Dirigo Credit Union, The Law Offices of Dionne & Courturier, Maine Family Credit Union, and an anonymous donor, as well as by its membership.
To participate in the Q&A online, visit maine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqfumsrz4iEtPBcNVFOp2Q6rJWPk_UGrqC, to see the documentary online, visit nfb.ca/film/jack_kerouacs_road_francoamerican_odyssey/?_gl=1*6qqgtj*_ga*MjQ4MDc1NTMyLjE2NDI3MDc5MDk.*_ga_EP6WV87GNV*MTY0OTk2MDY0MC40LjEuMTY0OTk2MDY5MS4w.
For more information or to RSVP, contact FAC archivist Anna Faherty at [email protected] or 207-753-6545.
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