The Mighty River () is a Canadian animated short film, directed by Frédéric Back and released in 1993.Ray Conlogue, "Films reflecting values set animator's work apart: Frederic back may bring home his third Oscar tonight but that won't bring back the Radio-Canada department he worked in". The Globe and Mail, March 21, 1994.
Summary The film is a portrait of the St. Lawrence River, depicting both its natural beauty and the threats to it from human negligence of the environment. It was the last film Back worked on before Société Radio-Canada, the French division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for which Back worked, closed down its animation department.Mike Boone, "The mighty St. Lawrence: Radio-Canada explores the river's history in animation". Calgary Herald, April 17, 1994.
The film's English version was narrated by Donald Sutherland, and its French version was narrated by Paul Hébert.
Release It premiered at the 1993 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
In Canada, it was distributed principally as a television special, broadcast in French by SRC Télévision and in English by CBC Television.Tony Atherton, "Animator's moving film on TV tonight". Ottawa Citizen, April 17, 1994.
Back and biologist Claude Villeneuve released a book version of the film in 1995."Animator's vision of St. Lawrence tragedy now a book; Radio-Canada's Oscar-winning Frederic Back mourns the desecration of the mighty river". Ottawa Citizen, December 15, 1995.
Awards Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Annecy International Animation Film Festival 1993 Grand Prix du court métrage Frédéric Back Los Angeles Film Critics Association 1993 Best Animation Frédéric Back Academy Awards 1994 Best Animated Short Film Frédéric Back, Hubert Tison "Frederic Back nominated - again". Montreal Gazette, February 10, 1994. Yorkton Film Festival 1994 Best of Festival Golden Sheaf Award for Best Animation Best Sound Luc Boudrias, Michel Descombes Hiroshima International Animation Festival 1994 Grand Prize Frédéric Back "River runs". Vancouver Sun, September 3, 1994. Ottawa International Animation Festival 1994 Production 10–30 minutes "The Wrong Trousers proves perfect fit at animation festival". Ottawa Citizen, October 4, 1994.
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