Abitibi

This is a short film about the development of the Abitibi gold mining region of Northern Quebec. It does a good job of portraying some of the key elements in the growth of the region - prospecting, mineral exploration, forestry, mine development, the railway, the role of immigrants and settlers to the region.

The story follows two immigrants who meet each other for the first time in Canada at a mine in the region, who discover the history of the region through the tales of an old prospector in a club and through the stories of some local businessmen at an all night poker game.

The English version is adapted from a french version of the same name. The English voice-overs are terrible in places, but it seems only to add to the "bygone era" setting of the film.

If you have any connection to the region, or if you're simply interested in history and the development of the continent, it's worth seeking out and watching.