History on the Big Screen

Once outside, you head to the gardens of the Globensky manor.

A black and white photograph of a craftsman making an arrow sash in front of his booth on rue Saint-Eustache. He is wearing one himself around his waist. Behind him are many people stopping at other booths. The Saint-Eustache Catholic church can be seen in the background.

A craftsman working on an arrow sash at the Fêtes du Vieux Saint-Eustache, 1979

The black and white photograph has been taken through a wooden lattice. On the other side of the lattice, hanging from the ceiling are three macramé plant hangers.

Macramé, 1980

Just off the main street where the Fêtes are taking place, the park is filled with wooden booths occupied by craftspeople showing off their creations. Pottery, macramé, woodcarvings, arrow sashes – there’s something for everyone. Unsurprisingly, you spot your parents, getting all excited about a macramé plant holder.

Later on, back on the street you run into your neighbour and her group of friends. They take you to a small theatre to see the film 1837.

The photo was taken outdoors in winter. On the left, we see a camera operator standing. In the middle of the photo is a tall tree in the middle of a field. On the right is a letterbox, which appears to be damaged.

Shooting the film 1837, 1976

Produced in 1976, 1837 is the most notable production associated with the Fêtes du Vieux Saint-Eustache. It tells the story of the Lower Canada Rebellion and the conditions faced by French Canadians, blending documentary with historical fiction. Pulling out all the stops, the production team interviewed well-known personalities including poet Michèle Lalonde, famous for her poem Speak White. The team also shot scenes in a variety of locations and burned down a barn to create unforgettable scenes.

A photograph, edited to look like a comic strip, of a man with a beard and long brown hair. He is wearing a coat, a burgundy scarf, and small round glasses. He is examining a roll of film.

Christian Giraldeau, one of the organizers of the Fêtes du Vieux Saint-Eustache, 1976

Shooting the film 1837 by Christian Giraldeau. Listen to the audio excerpt in French, the written transcription is available in English.

A colour photograph of a scene from a film that takes place outdoors in winter. In the foreground there is a suitcase on the snow, which is being used to hold a clapperboard. The scene features two men sitting on a red sleigh pulled by a brown horse.

Shooting a winter scene for the film 1837, 1976

In the middle of the image, a woman and two men are walking up a sloping paved street. The men are moving a movie camera and audio equipment. Behind them are around twenty parked cars, and actors in costumes.

Shooting the film 1837 in Québec City, circa 1976

Your neighbour whispers in your ear that her brother is in the film. The production team had decided to film in Old Québec City and asked members of a hockey team from Saint-Eustache, who happened to be going to Québec City for a tournament, to participate. They would be perfect as patriots and representatives of the British authorities. Based on what her brother told her, it was especially cold that day, and some of the young players drank something other than tea to warm themselves up… which made the filming a bit chaotic!

Excerpts from the film 1837. Watch the video in French, the written transcription is available in English.

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