Private Project

En Avant L'Etoile du Nord ou La joie de "vie"

Is French Heritage in Minnesota still alive?
“En Avant l’Etoile du Nord ou La Joie de "vie” is the first of a two fold film (documentary). The first one is about the identity of the people of Minnesota, their feelings about their French ancestors and whether they relate to their ancestry or not.
It has been difficult to capture an emotion, to emphasize it and express it in a convincing way but immensely rewarding, nevertheless. These deep feelings are captured through the camera operator’s eye, myself at times, up close or on a tripod from a distance. You will notice when the image becomes a little unstable or unclear. This has a purpose, that of capturing a heart full of emotion, a personal link between the artist and the subject. It is the link between real life and the mechanics of filming and is crucial to my vision, my unique personal touch.
The second one, coming out later, will relate to the places in the New France area where one can still find French places, French remains of French culture, architecture, agriculture.... still alive.
Christine Loys

  • Christine LOŸS
    Director
  • Christine LOŸS
    Writer
  • Christine Loÿs
    Producer
    Fluctuat Productions
  • Pierre Goldfarb
    Producer
    Fluctuat Productions
  • LE VENT DU NORD from Québec
    Music
  • Arthur Guerrier
    Editor
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    La joie de "Vie" ou ce qui reste de la nouvelle France
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 35 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 24, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    100,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    France
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    HD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Christine LOŸS
Distribution Information
  • Christine LOŸS
Director Biography - Christine LOŸS

Christine LOŸS lives in Paris, France. Originally a teacher, she has been an independent journalist for more than 30 years and was a contributor to many kinds of media, including television. She developed her English writing and storytelling skills mainly in the medical press on health and medical topics. She has also been involved in writing about current affairs and economics for women's magazines like Marie-Claire, as well as more political ones such as L'Evénement du Jeudi under Jean-François Khan, Jeune Afrique and the Medef Magazine.
She was propelled into cinematography by her association with Doctors Without Borders, working alongside Dr. Antoine Crouan, who introduced her to the famous organization Médecins sans Frontières (French Doctors without Borders) and Dr. Marie-Thérèse Basse, who was the first woman to become an MD in Senegal. Loys has also taken part in more than 50 broadcast stories for the French National Television. In addition, she has played an important role in communications on the French side during the “Transantarctica” expedition led by Will Steger and Dr Jean-Louis Etienne. This was also the occasion of her first visit to Minnesota (1986).
Loys' numerous travels and contacts in the US and Canada allow her to work today on various subjects concerning the history and culture of the French Voyageurs, and what continues of their presence, through their descendants in Minnesota and the Midwest. She is also working on every presence of the French in the U.S.
Her other interests go to Latin America where she has been travelling extensively.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Is French Heritage still alive in Minnesota?
Very few people know about the French role in Minnesota. There is plenty to say. I have completed the first part of my project with this film about the feelings people have about it. I want to keep going and film about the places where there is still something French or done by the French within Minnesota and the Upper Midwest, actually what was the Nouvelle France in the old times.