Tales of Sand and Snow

Having recently immigrated to Montreal, Burkinabe director Hyacinthe Combary explores his roots in an effort to rediscover the spiritual values of his people. His quest leads him to the northern forests of Quebec and an enlightening encounter with the Atikamekw of Wemotaci. In filming this Indigenous community, he creates a moving cinematic dialogue between the Gourmantche of Burkina Faso, who practise the divinatory art of geomancy, and the men of the taiga, who connect with the spirits through sweat lodges.

In this journey between North and South, the filmmaker comes to the realization that his quest is universal. "It is the same question for all the peoples of the earth: With the globalization of culture, how can one keep from becoming dehumanized, from being cut off from one's deepest being?"