Antigone is a 2019 Canadian drama film directed by Sophie Deraspe, loosely based on the Greek tragedy of the same name by Sophocles. The film follows Antigone, a teenage girl from a Greek family living in Montreal, who takes on the establishment after her brother is shot by police during a robbery and left unburied for being the alleged mastermind behind the crime.
Antigone and her siblings arrived in Canada as refugees, fleeing the civil war that left their parents dead in Algeria. As an undocumented immigrant, Antigone is already marginalized and vulnerable in society when her brother is killed. However, she refuses to allow his body to be left for the crows and decides to give him a proper burial, going against the wishes of the authorities and her uncle, the police chief.
Despite her peaceful intentions, Antigone's act of defiance leads to her arrest and trial, where she must confront the legal system that has failed her and her family. The film explores themes of justice, immigration, and identity, highlighting the struggles and injustices faced by marginalized communities. It also depicts the strength and resilience of a young woman who is willing to risk her freedom and life for what she believes in.
Antigone received critical acclaim and was selected as Canada's official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards. The film won numerous awards, including the Best Canadian Feature Film Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Claude Jutra Award at the Canadian Screen Awards, and the Audience Award at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
