Réveil-Waking Up French is a powerful documentary film that explores the struggle for cultural survival among the French-Canadian, Franco-American communities of Maine and New England. The film traces the French heritage beginning with immigration from the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Acadia through persecution by the Ku Klux Klan and language loss, to cultural renaissance and heritage preservation. Through their determined loyalty to the French Catholic faith, language and cultural values, the French of New England continue to discover new ways of renewal and cultural diversity through heritage language reacquisition.

Réveil-Waking Up French is relevant to everyone. As the melting pot attitude and globalization threatens diversity and the heritage of so many cultures, Réveil explores the struggle for cultural survival in the very heart of American monoculture. It reveals the importance of history and heritage understanding and demonstrates how languages can be reacquired for personal and community renewal. Through language and heritage preservation, communities discover cultural resources for economic development that is truly inspiring.

Filmmaker Ben Levine will be on hand to present a personal introduction of the film, and a lively facilitated discussion after viewing. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the program. This free program is being brought to Dexter by the generous support of the Trustees of the Abbott Memorial Library with the assistance of Wayside Theatre and the Brewster Inn. For more information call the library at 924-7292.